A dispute over who should bear the cost of supporting visiting heads of state at Windsor appears to have been settled after the government agreed to reimburse the local authority for expenses incurred during a series of high-profile state visits.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead had warned that it faced a financial shortfall of more than £350,000 after hosting international leaders last year, including visits by Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The borough council said the influx of dignitaries placed significant pressure on local services. Street cleansing operations were brought forward, additional stewards were deployed to manage crowds and senior staff spent long hours coordinating with extensive security teams accompanying visiting leaders.
The financial strain was compounded by the use of Windsor Castle as the principal venue for state engagements while renovations limited access to Buckingham Palace. Council officials argued that the costs associated with preparing the town for large ceremonial events should not fall disproportionately on local taxpayers.
Communication difficulties were also reported between central government departments and borough officials, with the council suggesting that unfamiliarity with Windsor’s arrangements contributed to administrative confusion. Although the borough attempted to recover its expenditure from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, concerns persisted that it would be left funding activities linked to national diplomatic protocol.
The issue prompted political intervention, including a letter from the local Conservative representative Jack Rankin to the Foreign Secretary arguing that the financial burden of state visits should not be borne locally.
Tensions escalated earlier this year when the council indicated it might withdraw logistical support for the forthcoming state visit of Bola Tinubu, scheduled to take place in mid-March.
However, borough officials have now confirmed that the government has agreed to reimburse the costs associated with last year’s visits and the upcoming Nigerian state visit, effectively resolving the row.
Deputy council leader Lynne Jones said she was “really pleased” that central government had accepted responsibility for the expenses incurred in supporting the three state visits in 2025 as well as the arrangements for the March visit.
The agreement is expected to ease pressure on local services and restore cooperation between the borough and national authorities over the management of future diplomatic ceremonies held in Windsor.
