The Royal Collection Trust has made its £1 ticket scheme for low-income visitors a permanent fixture across all its sites, as confirmed in the 2025 to 2026 Annual Review and Financial Statement.Following a successful trial in the previous year, the initiative is now permanently available to individuals receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits. Last year, nearly 30,000 of these reduced-price tickets were sold, expanding public access for audience groups. This permanent rollout includes the summer 2026 opening of Buckingham Palace.Despite this, the Royal Collection Trust recorded a six per cent decrease in overall visitor figures for the 2025 to 2026 period compared to the previous year. In London, this reduction was anticipated amid the ongoing 10-year reservicing programme.Buckingham Palace’s visiting figures dropped to 590,000, meaning the record attendance levels of the 2024 Summer Opening were not replicated.The impact of the building works on the visitor experience was managed by opening alternative rooms not typically accessible to the public.For instance, the 4,000 items from the fashion archive of Queen Elizabeth II that were put on display were placed in the King’s Gallery, just outside Buckingham Palace.Visitor numbers also fell slightly at Windsor Castle to 1,267,000, attributed to a subdued travel sector and a reduction in the tourist surge that followed the Coronation.The Royal Collection Trust has made its £1 ticket scheme for low-income visitors a permanent fixture across all its sites, as confirmed in the 2025 to 2026 Annual Review and Financial Statement | GETTYDespite the overall figure falling, visitor statistics for the reporting period indicate Windsor Castle was the most visited royal property last year.The Palace of Holyroodhouse recorded an increase in visitors to 469,000, driven by additional operating days and an expanded group tour programme.Despite the six per cent drop in overall footfall, the Trust’s financial performance remained aligned with organisational forecasts. Total income for the year was £85.3million, down from £89.9million in 2024 to 2025.
LATEST ROYAL DEVELOPMENTS
Windsor Castle is located within the Crown Estate | PAThis revenue was supported by a strong retail performance, bolstered by new product ranges and the expansion of off-site retail opportunities, including the wholesale market.Total operating expenditure reached £78.8million. The largest portion, £51.5million, was allocated to supporting visitor access across the residences and galleries.This encompassed funding for free and reduced-price tickets for eligible groups, curating exhibitions, and educational programmes.An additional £20million funded retail activities and catering services, while £6.9million was directed toward the conservation and custodial control of the Royal Collection.The Palace of Holyroodhouse recorded an increase in visitors to 469,000, driven by additional operating days and an expanded group tour programme | GETTYThe financial statement also reports an estimated cost of £3million for an insurance repayment in the current year.This relates to a settlement received in the previous 2024 to 2025 financial year, which is now being returned to the insurer following the successful recovery of a stolen object that had been on loan.Overall, the Trust reported a net income of £3.5million for the year. This surplus has allowed the organisation to increase its free reserves to £14.4million.These funds will support investment in the charity’s strategic aims, most notably the upcoming construction of a new art storage facility.