Buckingham Palace needs infrastructure work to keep it going

LONDON – Officials at Buckingham Palace says the noble building needs urgent infrastructure work to fix plumbing, electrical cables and heating that hasn't been upgraded since World War II.

The work will cost some 369 million pounds ($459 million) over 10 years and is considered critical to safeguarding the building from fire or flood damage.

The master of the queen's household, Tony Johnstone-Burt, said Friday that the project is intended to address parts of the structure not visible from the outside and to keep the palace operational for 50 years.

He says the palace takes "the responsibility that comes with receiving these public funds extremely seriously indeed."

But the palace is hoping the public will accept the works for the good of the nation.