The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has made a bold decision: no more support for state visits. This move comes after the council failed to receive reimbursement for hosting world leaders, including Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron, at Windsor Castle in 2025. The local authority spent a staggering £350,000, which could have funded nine primary school teachers' salaries. But here's the catch: the council's deputy leader, Lynne Jones, acknowledges the borough's enthusiasm for these events and Windsor Castle's appeal. However, she emphasizes the unfair burden on local taxpayers, stating, 'We like the fact that our borough hosts these events, but we really cannot accept that our residents are having to pay for a central government event.' This decision has sparked a debate, as Maidenhead MP Joshua Reynolds raised the reimbursement issue in the House of Commons, and the government's response highlights the traditional division of state visit expenses among multiple departments. Despite the funding dispute, preparations for Nigeria's president meeting King Charles at Windsor Castle are already underway, with the council intending to provide minimal support unless formal reassurance is given regarding cost reimbursement.
