The solution is to find something positive for the monarchy to do Historian David Starkey

But a palace spokesman said the Queen and Prince Charles had made their decision before the July summer recess of Parliament.

Under the new arrangement the only royals who will be paid for by the public will be the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen Mother.

Chairman of the influential Tory backbench 1922 Committee Sir Marcus Fox said public pressure should now come off the monarchy.

And constitutional expert Lord St John of Fawsley said the decision proved the Queen was in tune with public opinion.

"She's a wise woman - she's known nine prime ministers and she's been on the throne for 40 years," he said.

But historian David Starkey told the BBC even bigger changes were needed.

"This is not the solution, this is simply addressing the symptom - the solution is to find something positive for the monarchy to do," he said.

In Context

Since 2001 the monarchy have published their annual accounts in an attempt to make royal finances more transparent. The Queen's duties as head of state continue to be funded with public money. In the financial year 2003-2004 this amounted to £36.8m. Her personal fortune is estimated to be about £275m.

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