Prince William, Kate Middleton boost royal revenue

London: Prince William and Kate Middleton`s wedding has helped boost royal income from visits to Buckingham Palace and record sale of official souvenirs, a media report said.

The Royal Collection, which charges tourists for access to royal residences, including the palace, Windsor Castle and Clarence House, saw revenues rise from 7.3 million pounds to 41.7 million pounds, the `Daily Express` reported. The charitable trust`s annual report for the 2010-11 financial year also revealed that visitor numbers were up four per cent to 2.1 million. And, this was for all the royal buildings, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh -- British Queen`s official residence in Scotland -- the Royal Mews, where the Monarch`s carriages and state limousines are kept, and her art galleries, the newspaper said. And sales in the royal gift shops were up 17.8 per cent, thanks partly to official wedding souvenirs, including a bone china range which raked in more than one million pounds. Internet sales of official wedding memorabilia in the US, Canada and Australia made a "significant contribution", according to the Royal Collection. Jonathan Marsden, the Director of the Royal Collection, said: "By any measure, 2010-11 was one of the most successful years since the trust was founded and it was the most successful in purely financial terms." PTI