The Queen's food and drink bill for 2016 is a whopper!

The Queen spent £1.4 million ($2,475,624.81 NZD!) on entertaining guests at Buckingham Palace in the last year.

According to the Sovereign Grant annual report, the Queen received a £42 million ($74,240,238.24 NZD) allowance this year - and figures reveal she spent some £250,000 of it on wine and spirits! Imagine being able to spend that much on food?! Apparently, the allowance is expected to rise by 66 per cent each year, too. 

Her Majesty spends around a third of the year entertaining 96,000 guests, hosting garden parties, receptions, investitures and other events at her official home.

The table is arranged for a State Banquet, part of the Summer Opening exhibition at Buckingham Palace. Photo / Getty Images

On a typical Buckingham Palace party menu, a bottle of Gusbourne 2007 would cost Her Majesty up to £60 per bottle, while  the Queen's favourite champagne, Pol Roger, can also sell for up to £400 per bottle.

The allowance is also used to fund staff and keep the royal palaces up to scratch. Figures from Business Insider show £19.5 million from the grant paid for 431 staff members.

Of the total for 2015-16, over £16 million was spent on the upkeep of royal palaces and other buildings, while £4 million went towards the Royal Family's travel costs.
The Queen's allowance for the year was up £4.1 million on the previous period due to property maintenance.

nzherald.co.nz