The way I understand it the vast wealth of the Crown Estate goes entirely to the government and more than pays for the royal family.
They do more paying for us than we do for them.
( Mu Dinofiddler, Sun 3 Jun 2012, 21:42, archived)

'but vey cost da tAxp@yer!!11'
like you said, surely they pay for themselves and significantly over and over again in tourism, crown estates and everything else?
and swan pies, they're doing very well
( fatpoof, Sun 3 Jun 2012, 21:46, archived)