Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will face an enquiry into her finances and expenses.
The 86-year-old monarch is to be investigated by British members of parliament, after a change in public law.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is expected to launch an investigation into whether the royal family provide value for money to the taxpayer.
The committee is renowned for its stringent measures and reputation for bringing civil servants to account if they feel public funds have been misused.
They have been behind investigations which have shamed global brands including Amazon, Starbucks and Goldman Sachs over their tax affairs, as well as having grilled a succession of Whitehall bosses over their tax affairs and wasteful spending in their departments.
The National Audit Office is granted access to the Queen’s finances next month. Auditors will produce a report on their findings which will then be submitted to the PAC – chaired by former Labour Minister Margaret Hodge – who can decide whether to call palace officials to give evidence.
Austin Mitchell, a Labour MP who sits on the committee told The Independent newspaper: ”I’m all in favor of it.
”It’s not intrusive. It is about ensuring that the public are getting good value for money.
”At the moment there is no accountability for spending what is a considerable fortune.”
Money given to junior royals to support their work backing up the Queen will be looked at, while the committee may also evaluate if Buckingham Palace is doing enough to raise money itself by selling the royal brand.