King Carlos III's personal fortune is double that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As Duke of Cornwall, he long saved the profits from the dukedom, which consisted of vast farmland, oyster fisheries, granite quarries, London real estate, and tin mines. They are 53,000 hectares of land in 23 counties of England and Wales. And Carlos, who agreed to manage it in 1969, when he turned 21, has known how to multiply his value.
The Duchy allowed Charles to be independent of his parents and lead the pace of life befitting an heir, but also to meet his obligations as Prince of Wales and support his numerous charitable organizations.
But Carlos has not only been a good saver. He has also been able to invest his money wisely in recent decades. Barely seven months after his ascension to the throne, Carlos is at 74, twice as rich as his mother was and richer than most European monarchs.
Carlos III, the richest king in Europe: where his great fortune comes from
His personal fortune is 600 million pounds sterling – 680 million euros – according to data from the “rich list” produced since 1989 by the British publication The Sunday Times. A year ago, the list awarded Elizabeth II 370 million pounds –420 million euros–, which is half of what Carlos owns today. The monarch is among the last 100 names on the list, but he already has more money than the Beckhams or Elton John.
Carlos was forced to manage his finances carefully after his divorce from Diana in the mid-1990s, a divorce that cost him £17 million. He then decided to save the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall and became very prudent when it came to spending. Carlos' advisers have denied, on several occasions, that his fortune has anything to do with Camilla's money. Some say that the queen contributed a good amount to Carlos' personal finances. But this is uncertain, they have assured.
After a luxurious youth, Carlos became an austere person, especially for reasons that have to do with the environment, and he wears suits and shoes that he has owned for many years. He is also frugal in his habits, as he revealed to Vogue magazine in a 2020 interview. He always turns off the lights, something that has become a kind of obsession for him.
For decades, he has also sold organic products from his estate, Highgrove House, such as jams and biscuits, under the name Duchy Originals. They can be bought at Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. He has also invested in the real estate sector, but always with a philosophy of sustainable development. Thanks to his management, the Duchy of Cornwall increased its profits by 42% between 2012 and 2022. The dukedom will pass to William, as Prince of Wales. He comes from King Edward III and has been passed down from father to son since the mid-14th century.
A secret inheritance and a king who does not pay taxes
The most prized possessions of the King of England are today the residence of Sandringham, in Norfolk, and Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, and they are private. The first covers 81,000 square meters and has been in the family for more than 160 years. It has 300 buildings, including the royal mansion. Products from his orchards are destined for the Sandringham Apple Juice Company. In addition, he charges tourists to take a short tour of the property, money that goes directly into the Windsors' pocket.
Carlos did not pay any tax for both properties, as it was an inheritance that went from one sovereign to another. Much of the family's income comes from the dukedom of Lancaster. Of course, expenses such as official trips, security, and residence are paid by the public treasury
It is known that Charles also inherited from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, but this inheritance is secret, like that of Queen Elizabeth, and they remain in a safe in London, like the last wills of 30 other family members. real, deceased since 1910.
