Royals pay congestion charge

Members of the royal family have agreed to pay the congestion charge upfront so they can drive in and out of their palaces without risking a fine, it was revealed in a live chat on this site today.

TfL said all the royals except the Queen have registered their vehicles for the scheme. Those based at Buckingham Palace get a 90 per cent residents' discount because they live inside the charging zone.

Under a special rule, the Queen will be exempt as long as she is travelling in an official vehicle. It is understood the Duke of Edinburgh is paying.

During our live chat, Derek Turner, managing director of street transport for TfL, said: "MPs and diplomats are not exempt, nor are the royal family, except the Queen in her official car. We have accepted applications for registration from members of the royal family."

Meanwhile Mayor Ken Livingstone's office revealed £1 million has already been banked in the run-up to the scheme's launch on 17 February.

Most cash is from drivers paying the annual £120 fee upfront. About 150,000 drivers registered under schemes for residents, the disabled or business fleets, and 21,000 registered by text message.