The royal family is under fire amid news that it will cost mourners almost $30 per person to visit Queen Elizabeth II’s grave.
Her Majesty was laid to rest last week at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle about an hour’s drive from London.
The castle is usually open to tourists five days per week — but it was temporarily closed to the public following the queen’s death on Sept. 8.
On Thursday, however, the Royal Collection Trust announced that the castle’s grounds had reopened to visitors — but their usual ticket prices would not be waived for visitors wanting to pay their respects to the late monarch.
The Trust — which is one of the five departments of the royal household and is responsible for managing the public openings of official royal residences — charges £26.50 ($29.50) for an adult ticket on Sunday through Thursday and £28.50 ($31.75) for an adult ticket on a Saturday.
Prices are cheaper for those under the age of 18, but it hasn’t stopped some from slamming the royals over the “eye-watering” charge.
The high ticket prices have not kept crowds at bay — with long lines of people outside Windsor Castle following its reopening on Thursday.
“I don’t believe it,” one mourner raged on Twitter. “Apparently it will cost £26.50 … to visit the Queen’s grave. Who on earth thought is was right to gouge the public in this way when they showed such grief at her death? Money grabbing for a very rich lot of people.”
Another claimed the price was exorbitant when compared to other historical sites, writing: “For the price they charge to visit the late Queen’s grave, you can get an all inclusive ticket to Versailles, Château, Garden & Temporary Art Shows and have enough change left to drink a coffee!”
Another added: “The Royal Family are grifters. As of next week you can pay £28.50 to see the Queen’s final resting place. Roll up! Roll up!”
Meanwhile, a separate critic claimed it was insensitive to charge British mourners such a high amount of money to pay their respects, especially as the country grapples with a “cost of living crisis.”
“This could literally be someone’s weekly budget to feed their family!” they cried.
However, the high ticket prices have not kept crowds at bay, with long lines of mourners seen outside Windsor Castle following its reopening on Thursday.
The queen is buried alongside her husband and her parents, with visitors able to see a new ledger stone that marks her tomb.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, income from a ticket “contributes to the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.”
