Duchess of Cambridge's Kensington MP compares the Middletons to the Kardashians

Politician says she 'despises' taxpayers' money being spent on the royal family

Emma Dent Coad MP said the Middletons were similar to the Kardashians because they had the status of 'film stars' (Getty)

The Duchess of Cambridge and her relatives have been compared to reality TV family the Kardashians by the MP for Kensington and Chelsea.

Emma Dent Coad – whose constituency includes both Kensington Palace and Grenfell Tower – said the Middletons were similar to the Kardashians because they had the status of “film stars”.

Speaking at anti-monarchist campaign group Republic’s annual convention in Newcastle, Ms Dent Coad said she “despised” taxpayers' money being spent on the royal family.

“I say the Middletons are like the Kardashians now, because they are such film stars,” she said according to the The Daily Mail. “It just shows how much it has all changed.”

She added that she would prefer it if celebrity couple Victoria and David Beckham were made royals than the Middletons, because “they have earned their own money”.

The Labour MP said it was “hysterical” that some Conservatives supported funding for Kensington Palace – where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges live – while describing the family as “vulgar”.

Ms Dent Coad – who affirmed as a Republican in Parliament rather than pledging an oath to the Queen – said she was offered the chance to meet the monarch at the site of the Grenfell Tower fire but turned it down.

The 62-year-old won the traditional Tory-stronghold of Kensington by 20 votes in June’s general election, saying the poor in the borough had been ignored for too long. She recently warned that a mental health crisis was looming for the survivors of the fire that killed at least 80 people.

Republic estimates the monarchy costs the taxpayer £345m a year, enough to pay for 17,000 new police officer or 15,000 teachers.

Sir Ian Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse has argued the royals were "excellent value for money", only costing the taxpayer 65p per head per year.

In June the Government announced the Queen’s income was to double to more than £82bn to cover “essential works” on Buckingham Palace.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge plan on building a £24m two-storey basement extension for staff in the grounds of Kensington and Chelsea.

Although such extensions are usually contrary to regulations introduced by Kensington and Chelsea Council, planning officials have been urged to make an "exception" for the project.