King Charles caught off guard by taxpayer question in public walkabout

King Charles found himself in an uncomfortable position during a recent public walkabout, when a member of the crowd hit him with a blunt question about the royal family’s cost to taxpayers.

The awkward exchange took place during the monarch’s visit to Newmarket, Suffolk on Wednesday, where he and Queen Camilla greeted crowds after touring the Jockey Club Rooms and the National Stud. But amid the warm welcomes and “God bless you, Your Majesty” shouts, one person wasn’t feeling quite as regal.

In footage shared by The National, a man in the crowd asked the King: “Why does your family cost us half a billion pounds a year, Charles?” 

The monarch paused briefly before replying with a curt “Ah, yes”, and swiftly moved along.

But it didn’t stop there. The same individual followed up with: “Why do you only pay your gardeners minimum wage?” referencing a Sunday Times report that claimed gardeners at the King’s Highgrove estate were leaving over low pay.

Later, another woman asked: “Do you think it’s fair we pay £27 million a year from the Duchy of Lancaster?” 

Though Charles paused to hear her out, his response wasn’t picked up on camera.

Despite the tough questions, the King continued to smile and greet other royal fans in the crowd.

RELATED: King Charles joins Prince William, Princess Kate to mark George's 12th birthday