REPUBLIC, the campaigning outfit that wants to abolish the monarchy, has got the Palace in a spin again. In order to deflect Republican charges about the cost to the taxpayer of the Queen and her dysfunctional family, Buckingham Palace publicity toffs have come up with a wheeze to put it about that the royals cost as little as 61p a person in the UK. Peanuts. Or just nuts, according to Republic. Once security, unpaid taxes and costs to local councils for royal visits is taken into account, the motley crew cost the nation at least £150 million a year. Comparable European heads of state cost about £1.5 million.