CABINET Office Minister Mo Mowlam has called for the Royal Family to be moved out of Buckingham Palace and rehoused in a modern building, it was reported this week.

The Redcar MP has suggested that old palaces could be used as public museums and galleries.

"I don't suggest that the Royal Family should close down and shut up shop, but if people want a monarch of the new century they should have a palace of the new century, in line with the architecture you see around London," she said.

In an interview for Saga magazine, reported in a national newspaper, Dr Mowlam said: "I am not a great fan of the monarchy, even though I like Prince Charles and I like Princess Anne, and exchanges I have had with the Queen have been very pleasant. But in terms of constitution, I would support a change.