The cost of the recent visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was over £60,000, according to figures released after a freedom of information request.

Among the costs listed in the bill was £30,229 spent by Cambridge University on the hire of a giant marquee. The university has also revealed spending £6,700 on catering and £2,804 on display stands.

£4,619 was spent by Cambridge city council, with costs including £1,016 spent on works to the balcony for the royal couple’s appearance at Guidhall, £1,660 on building and carpet cleaning and £20 on flags for schoolchildren. £142 was also spent on flowers, £100 on refreshments and £582 on equipment hire and technical staff.

Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire police has put the cost of policing the visit at £9,557, including £5,047 on overtime and £630 on hired transport.

The cost of such royal visits is growing increasingly controversial, with concerns raised in Manchester last year after it was revealed that the Queens’ Diamond Jubilee tour of the city cost the taxpayer £40,000. A recent royal visit to Sunderland was also met with mixed feelings as costs were placed at £71,000.

However, the mayor of Cambridge, Sheila Stuart, has defended the visit, telling Varsity that it was “a great day for Cambridge” and “money well spent”:

“There was much excitement and pride amongst residents that this young Royal couple should carry the title “Cambridge” and many people were asking when they would visit “their” City.”

“I stood out on the Guildhall balcony with them and witnessed the pleasure the visit brought to the cheering crowds, and certainly the people who met them within the Guildhall, including the recipients of Cambridge News Community Awards, were really thrilled to be introduced to them.

“The City Council’s element of the cost was £4,600 and, yes, I do feel that this was money well spent. It was a very high profile visit, which attracted world-wide media attention.”

“To have this Royal recognition cements still further the City’s excellent worldwide reputation.”

Meanwhile, the revelations have caused mixed reaction among students. Sophia, a first-year student at Fitzwilliam described the visit as “one day of royal hype” and told Varsity that it saddened her to think how many years people would have to work to pay back the money spent on such visits.

A source close to the university also commented on the figures, telling Varsity: “whilst I fully accept the need for these visits, and the prominence it brought to the university, I am slightly concerned by the cost (which is significant). However, it's easy to condemn huge costs whilst ignoring the actual revenue a visit like this brings. Obscene costs are all part of modern life; and the university is in no way immune to that.”

When asked about the costs by Varsity, a University spokesman released the following statement: “The event was a celebration for over 450 people; attendees included student leaders from every College, Olympic competitors, young researchers, and the longest-serving members of University Assistant staff.”

“The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was a special event attracting national and international media attention to the city and the University. The University’s international standing means that it is fortunate to attract regular high-profile events which are budgeted for annually.”