Alexandra Szentkirályi told a press conference at the palace that the items of furniture were repurchased under the arrangements of the national palace and castle programme, with help from the heritage protection agency.

She said that tourism which provides a livelihood for some 400,000 people in Hungary had been hit hard during the past 18 months but the government has offered support and continued with developments in the sector.

As a result, 35 new hotels and bed and breakfasts are being built in rural Hungary, 600 bed and breakfasts have been modernised, 14,000 private accommodation providers received support, and a total 150 billion forints (EUR 410m) will be offered by application for the development of thermal baths around the country, she said.

Ministerial commissioner in charge of the national palace and castle programme Zsolt Virág noted that Queen Elisabeth’s personal furniture had been sold at an auction in Germany, and the items have now been added to the castle’s permanent exhibition in her former dressing room and study.


MTI Photo: Zoltán Máthé