Frugal Queen uses bedsheets from the Royal Yacht Britannia that was decommissioned in 1997 – and turns them into pillow cases when they’re moth-eaten
SHE may live in a palace and have a host of sparkling jewels at her disposal, but the Queen has her frugal moments.
According to Adam Helliker, author of a forthcoming book on the Royal Family, the Queen recycled old bedsheets to be used at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Adam told Fabulous Digital: “In a materialistic world, how heartening to learn that the Queen continues to espouse frugalness in her royal households.
“Her Majesty is continuing to get good use from the bedspreads she rescued from the former Royal Yacht Britannia when the ship was decommissioned in 1997.”
According to a royal insider: "The Britannia bedspreads were salvaged to be used in all the main bedrooms at Balmoral.”
And the Queen, who has a fortune of around £340million, even goes a step further to make good use of the covers when they are too old to be used on the royal beds.
The source added: “They've lasted really well but the Queen has ordered that any which get too moth-eaten are cut up and made into cushion covers.”
It’s not the first time the Queen has tried to be savvy when it comes to saving money.
At the palace, string from parcels is reused, lightbulbs of more than 40 watts are reportedly banned and old newspapers are shredded for horses’ bedding.
THE QUEEN'S SUMMER RETREAT AT BALMORAL
Balmoral Castle has been a Royal residence since 1852.
The estate and its original castle were purchased privately by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, and to this day remain the private property of the Royal Family.
The castle is classified by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building, and costs around £3 million annually to run.
Every summer, the Monarch returns to the Balmoral estate with her husband Prince Philip.
Throughout the summer, much of the royal family - including Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate - will join her and Prince Philip for their annual “summer break.”
The Royal residence has often been described as “the most beautiful place on Earth” and is often referred to as the Queen’s favourite home.
The Queen is often seen riding horses or driving her beloved Range Rover over the estate’s rugged terrain.
The castle gardens were first opened to the public in 1931.
They now open daily between April and the end of July, after which Queen Elizabeth arrives for her annual stay.
Balmoral is the Queen's favourite summer pad, and she goes there every year with her family.
The estate and its original castle were purchased privately by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, and to this day remain the private property of the Royal Family.
This week, the 93-year-old monarch kicked off her summer holidays at Balmoral, and was met by soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
MORE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
She was also reunited with the notoriously naughty Shetland pony who once ate her flowers and did a poo in front of her.
She didn't seem to be put off from their previous encounters, that saw the Shetland do a poo in front of her last year.
And it's not the first time the small pony had a memorable meeting with the Queen - two years ago trying to eat her flowers.