Cricketing honour for Royals as trip cost revealed

The royal couple join The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales with the title, which has been bestowed to just 300 of the clubs 18,000 members.

MCC president David Morgan said: “This great Club has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Royal Family over the years and long may it continue.”

It was during a trip to Christchurch as part of the couple’s tour of New Zealand and Australia in April that their love of the sport was revealed.

Yesterday it was revealed that the 10-day Australian leg of the trip, Prince George’s first overseas tour, cost the country’s taxpayers just under £260,000.

During the trip the family visited some of the nation’s most famous sites, including Sydney Opera House and Uluru.

The total cost, including a preliminary visit by Kensington Palace staff and personal protection officers, was £259,000, with transportation costs the largest portion of the bill at just over £137,000.

The bill for media liaison at £46,641 was the next highest cost followed by domestic travel, for things like meals and accommodation, at £40,233.

It is normal practice for the host nation to pay for the cost during royal visits to countries where the Queen is head of state.