THE Queen plans to ask the UK Government for more money to run her household after being hit by rising costs, officials say.
Like homeowners across Britain, the monarch has faced escalating prices for fuel, food and home repairs.
These have seen the cost of maintaining her position as head of state almost double.
But her taxpayer-funded Civil List payment of £7.9 million ($17.5m) has not increased in 20 years - and is not due to be renegotiated until 2010.
Officials said the Queen's accountants had squirrelled away £35 million for a rainy day.
Although this is down to £26 million, aides say there is enough in the pot to "draw down from" until they are able to renegotiate their government hand-out.
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