"People need to look past the fact that Buckingham Palace is a royal residence and treat it like a national treasure," the television historian told Mandrake at a Waterstone's book signing for his latest tome, Henry: Virtuous Prince.

"As it is, the palace is a national disgrace. I have filmed there extensively and it has got to the point now that they are just slapping Dulux magnolia paint on the grubby bits. It needs some serious money spent on it. All the palaces are in various states of repair, but Buckingham Palace is in the most dire need of help."

Starkey, 63, says the Government should take its lead from other countries which look after their official residences, notably the Elysée Palace.