Legal Definitions - privy purse

The privy purse refers to the private income or funds specifically designated for the personal expenses and discretionary spending of a monarch or sovereign. This money is separate from the public funds allocated for official state duties, the upkeep of royal residences, or the salaries of royal staff. Essentially, it represents the monarch's personal allowance for their private life.

Here are a few examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Personal Art Acquisition

  Imagine a reigning monarch who is an avid art collector and decides to purchase a rare, privately-owned painting for their personal collection, distinct from the national art collection held in public galleries. The funds used for this acquisition would typically come from the privy purse. This illustrates how the privy purse covers personal expenditures that are not related to the monarch's official duties or the state's assets.

• Example 2: Private Charitable Donation

  Consider a queen who wishes to make a significant personal donation to a small, local charity that supports environmental conservation, a cause she privately champions. This donation would be drawn from her privy purse. This demonstrates that the privy purse funds the monarch's individual philanthropic endeavors, separate from any official royal patronage or state-funded charitable initiatives.

• Example 3: Family Holiday Expenses

  Suppose a king plans a private family vacation to a secluded resort abroad, which is not an official state visit or a diplomatic engagement. The costs associated with this private holiday, such as accommodation, personal travel, and leisure activities for his family, would typically be covered by the privy purse. This highlights how the privy purse supports the sovereign's personal lifestyle and private activities, distinct from expenses incurred in their capacity as head of state.