I am reminded of the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992. Straight away some idiot Tory minister rushed to promise that the taxpayer would cover the cost of any repairs, estimated at up to 60 million. That idea was rightly howled down. They set up a bank account for voluntary donations to the repair fund. It only received a few thousand in deposits, which showed what the public really thought about it. Elizabeth Windsor did put in 2 million, but insisted on charging for public access to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. places that shouldn't belong to her, but to the nation.