Thames Valley Police remains '£900,000 out of pocket' over Windsor state visit costs, PCC says

Thames Valley Police (TVP) remains ‘£900,000 out of pocket’ over money spent on Royal visits at Windsor Castle, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, said.

Matthew Barber’s comments follow news that the Royal Borough will be ‘properly reimbursed’ the £350,000 it spent on the three state visits which took place at Windsor Castle last year.

This resolution following calls from Windsor MP Jack Rankin and Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds for the Government to cover the costs.

However, TVP is still yet to be reimbursed £900,000, following the historic second state visit of US President Donald Trump last year.

Last month, Mr Barber wrote to the Home Secretary raising the issue.

In the latest update, Mr Barber said that while he hopes the reimbursement to the council is ‘positive sign of things to come’, he called for the Government to ‘re-think the flawed funding arrangements’ for events of this nature.

He said: “It is positive to hear that Royal Borough will now be properly reimbursed for the delivery of Royal state visits at Windsor Castle.

“We hope that this is a positive sign of things to come, as Thames Valley Police still remains around £900,000 out of pocket following the state visit of President Trump to Windsor last year.

“It is not fair for taxpayers in the Thames Valley. I have already written to the Home Secretary, and I will continue to push central Government to re-think the flawed funding arrangements for events of such national significance.”

Windsor Castle has become the focal point for state visits and major diplomatic events over the last year, due to the mayor refurbishment taking place at Buckingham Palace.

In 2025, Windsor Castle also hosted a state visit from French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to stay at the castle next week.

A Government spokesperson told the Express last month that funding arrangement ‘have been agreed’ with the Royal Borough ‘to support local operations for the Nigeria state visit’.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We and the police have long-standing arrangements in place to ensure state visits are run safely and securely, while regular policing continues across communities.

“Thames Valley Police will receive reimbursement for their additional costs linked to this state visit, and these will be recovered through standard major event procedures.”