LONDON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Queen Elizabeth II has canceled this year's Christmas party for her household staff, citing the need for "restraint" while the British economy is depressed.
The Lord Chamberlain, William, Earl Peel, sent an e-mail to the 600 employees at Buckingham Palace, The Independent reported. The Palace has not announced whether the other Christmas perks, Christmas puddings and individual gifts, will also be cut.
"The Queen is acutely aware of the difficult economic circumstances facing the country. It was decided it was appropriate for the Royal Household to show restraint and therefore not hold the party this year," a spokesman said.
The party would have cost about 50,000 pounds ($75,000). The Palace said expenses would have been paid from the queen's private funds.
One reason for the show of austerity might be ongoing negotiations with Prime Minister David Cameron about increasing the Civil List, which covers the expenses of the queen and members of her family who perform official duties. Members of the royal household said this year there was not enough money to repair the long list of royal palaces.
