The report, released Thursday, said the Queen and the Royal Family cost U.K. taxpayers 37.3 million pounds ($75 million) in the 2006/2007 fiscal year to March 31 ($1.2 per person), 0.3% less than in the previous year. It said the drop was largely due to the Queen's recent efforts to reduce energy consumption in her living quarters.
The 81-year-old monarch's environmental achievements have apparently been inspired by the example of her elder son, Charles, a long-time advocate of organic farming, sustainable forestry, and cuts on greenhouse gas emissions.
Keeper of the Privy Purse Alan Reid said: "Following the leadership of the Prince of Wales, the Royal Household has started working on measuring its carbon footprint and is developing further action plans for reducing it."
With no track record in environmental protection, Elizabeth has already managed to outdo Charles by cutting natural gas and electricity consumption at Windsor Castle by as much as 12% - against a 9% reduction reported by the Prince of Wales.
