privy purse
Noun: 1. A sum of money allocated from public funds for the personal and private expenses of a sovereign (a monarch, such as a king or queen). This is a fixed annual allowance intended to cover costs not related to the official duties of the head of state, which are typically funded separately.
The term is used specifically in the context of state funding for a monarchy. It refers to the official, legislated grant for the monarch's private use. - The Privy Purse is reviewed periodically by Parliament. - Expenses for the royal family's private residences are often met from the Privy Purse.
- Historical Context: The term originates from the monarch's private treasury, separate from the public exchequer. The modern "Privy Purse" is its legal successor.
- "Keeper of the Privy Purse": A title for the senior official responsible for managing these private finances.
- The Keeper of the Privy Purse oversees the budget for the monarch's personal staff.
- Civil List: A related but distinct term. Historically, the Civil List was the annual grant to the monarch to cover official expenses of the sovereign and the royal household. In some modern contexts, the functions of the Civil List and Privy Purse have been consolidated or reformed into a single "Sovereign Grant."
- Sovereign Grant: In the United Kingdom, this is now the primary annual funding for the monarch's official duties, replacing the Civil List. The Privy Purse remains separate for private expenses.
- Royal allowance
- Sovereign's personal grant
- Monarch's private annuity
This term has a very specific constitutional and financial meaning. It does not refer to: - A personal purse or handbag owned by a private individual. - Any form of private savings or wallet. - General government spending or public welfare funds.
Its use is almost exclusively in formal, historical, or journalistic contexts discussing royal finances.
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allowance for a monarch's personal expenses
