Royal spending under control: how Luxembourg spends money

The Grand Duke of Luxembourg's annual spending report for 2024 was published on Monday. According to the document, total expenditure totalled €19.3 million, 13% below the approved budget. Of the total amount, only 87 per cent of the allocated funds were used, which shows a rather strict approach to the management of the royal finances.

The 2024 budget was initially adjusted to take account of two major events: the visit of former Pope Francis to Luxembourg and the appointment of Crown Prince Guillaume as lieutenant representative in October. Despite these major events, expenditure remained within limits, which can be seen as a sign of financial discipline, or at least a reasonable adaptation of the budget to special occasions.

As in previous years, the bulk of the expenditure - €13.6 million - went to the salaries of the yard staff. This is €1m more than in 2023. The increase can be attributed to both staff expansion ahead of visits and changing roles within the family, as well as indexation of salaries in line with the rising cost of living.

The publication of the report was part of an effort to increase the transparency and accountability of the Grand Ducal family in response to years of calls from civil society and parliament. Formally, these costs are covered by the state budget, and while the Luxembourg monarchy remains one of the most accessible to public criticism in Europe, such reports help to defuse political tensions and build confidence in the institution of the monarchy as a symbolic rather than costly element of power.