Overview

• James Chalmers announced on June 30 that the royal train would be withdrawn from service under cost-saving measures.
• Two state helicopters have been designated to carry the royal family as the train is taken out of operation.
• Annual use of the mid-19th century “palace on wheels” had fallen to just two trips last year while upkeep topped one million pounds.
• The report showed spending of £86.3 million in 2024/25, with the grant set to rise to £132 million next year as revenues from the Crown Estate fund royal operations.
• The decision aligns with King Charles III’s broader push for fiscal discipline and modernization within the monarchy’s public spending.