A new study published by tourism agency VisitBritain claims that the royal family generates more than £500m in visitor expenditure each year.

According to the report, the UK's 'culture and heritage' - such as castles, theatres, Premier League football and art galleries - contributed £4.6bn to the UK's economy during 2009 and supported 100,000 jobs. However, one-in-eight of such sites are somehow associated with the Monarchy – including the Tower of London; Ruthin Castle in Wales; and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, as well as St Paul's Cathedral.

In 2009, the Tower of London attracted nearly 2.4 million visitors - up 11 per cent on 2008, while Greenwich's National Maritime Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum also attracted more than 2 million visitors. FIndings from a poll of 25,000 potential foreign visitors to the UK, which was commissioned by VisitBritain from the Anholt-GMI Nations Brand Index Survey, revealed that 60 per cent would seek out "royal locations" when visiting.

VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: "This fascinating research shows that Britain's monarchic heritage draws foreign tourists to just about every corner of the country from Scotland to Cornwall. "Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, a feat last accomplished back in 1897 by Queen Victoria. This report suggests that year she is going to generate a bonanza for British tourism."