David Cameron has admitted that the royal family is causing “huge resentment” for hardworking taxpayers.
"Some people work hard for a living, while others - such as those on benefits and the royal family - embody the culture of entitlement," he said. "It's about time we closed the gap between those enjoying privileges like palaces and servants, and those resentfully struggling outside."
The Prime Minister said that the royals will not qualify for extra benefits if they continue to spend all their time hanging out on their balcony rather than working.
He also hinted that members of the royal family who are under 25 may lose their housing benefit. "The passage to independence should be living in one's childhood bedroom as you save up to move out," he said, "not actively avoiding work like Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie."
Other proposals include making unemployment benefit ‘time limited’ - which could prove worrying for Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who has been claiming it for 64 years - although the government has stopped short of cancelling the Queen's winter fuel allowance.
It remains to be seen, however, how the measures will affect those who many consider to be the country's biggest freeloaders: Pippa Middleton and her friends.