Royals living lavishly isn’t exactly news, but when King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022, the legacy he inherited within the monarchy was one of ancient wealth and came with many benefits. According to Forbes, the net worth of the British Royal Family was valued at $28 billion as of 2021. At that time, King Charles had a jaw-dropping personal net worth of $300 million, as reported by Times Now World.
But after he became king, he became even wealthier. As of 2024, The Sunday Times Rich List claims that Charles is worth approximately $772 million. His wife Camilla also experienced a similar gain compared to before she was queen, with her net worth clocking in at $5 million.
Through their decades-long relationship, the couple has been privileged to access the finest things in the world, from jewelry to living accommodations. When Charles proposed to Camilla in 2005, it was with a $280,000 five-carat emerald-cut diamond ring. The ring was a family heirloom that had been passed on throughout the generations and given to the Queen Mother after Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926. However, this ring is just a small aspect of Charles and Camilla’s lavish life.
Inside the couple’s life of luxury at Buckingham Palace
While Buckingham Palace has traditionally been the residence of all monarchs throughout history, rumors suggest that Charles and Camilla spend most of their time at Clarence House. They’ve lived there since 2003, and the reason is that Charles has dubbed Buckingham Palace too boring to live in. He calls it “the big house” and doesn’t see it as a realistic home designed for modern living.
But when they do stay at the palace, they get to enjoy a total of 775 rooms, including 52 bedrooms for guests and royals. The palace also has a secret swimming pool, created in 1939 as a surprise gift for Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret. Beyond the pool, there’s a doctor’s office, a movie theater, and a jeweler’s shop. There are also more than 1,000 servants working in the palace, so this royal couple never has to lift a finger.
Massive earnings from the Duchy of Cornwall
Charles became the owner of the Duchy of Cornwall after Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in February 1952, earning all of its profits for the past 70 years. He spent some of this income on personal needs, official royal duties, charitable donations, and salaries for his private staff. From 2007 to 2008, he earned nearly £16.5 million from the estate, as Statista reports. In the final year before becoming king, he earned a whopping £23 million. Following his ascension to the throne, he had to relinquish this title and the corresponding income.
Inheriting a new title and the Duchy of Lancaster
Although he had to give up one Duchy, he inherited the Duchy of Lancaster as the new Duke of Lancaster, which is only for reigning monarchs. With this inheritance, he earned a net asset value of £647.6 million. The property features sprawling acres in Wales and England, and King Charles earned £27 million in his first payout.
King Charles’ $25 billion real estate earnings
Although the Crown Estate is in charge, King Charles is sitting on a $25 billion real estate empire since Buckingham Palace is worth just under $5 million in 2024. That’s not even including the other royal properties. Windsor Castle is valued at $743 million, Kensington Palace is worth around $630 million, and the Tower of London is valued around $1.1 billion. There’s also Balmoral Palace and Sandringham House, but most impressively, Hampton Court Palace, which is worth around $1.2 billion.
Camilla’s inheritance from her parents and her £850K mansion
Camilla was no working-class woman, thanks to her upper-class family, she enjoyed a prestigious education and an upbringing in an East Sussex property with seven bedrooms. She also inherited £500,000 from her grandparents. After Camilla separated from Captain Andrew Parker Bowles in 1992, she bought a £850,000 home in Lacock called Ray Mill House.
The royal couple’s impressive designer wardrobe
Peek inside the closets of these royals, and you’ll be in for a surprise. Charles, who has been called the best-dressed royal by Esquire, loves his designer clothing and is often seen in tailored suits from bespoke designers like Gieves & Hawkes and more well-known fashion houses like Burberry. Camilla is also a fan of high-end clothing, buying from brands like Chanel, Bottega Veneta, and BVLGARI.
King Charles has a luxury car collection
Opulence isn’t limited to their clothes—King Charles loves luxury cars and is particularly fond of Aston Martins. In particular, models like the 1970 Aston Martin DB6, which his mother gifted him and is worth over £2 million. He also owns multiple Bentley limousines, which were a 2002 gift to the late Queen Elizabeth II, a 1950 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV (there are only eight in the world), and a 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.
Expensive gift-giving (and receiving) is the norm
The royal treatment includes splendid meals, celeb-studded guest lists, and the world’s most expensive tea. When King Charles visited President Emmanuel Macron in France, he was treated to a £400,000 dinner attended by the likes of Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger, and other stars. In 2023, it was also announced that The London Tea Exchange would present the king-to-be with a £1.4 million gold-coated tea.
Camilla and King Charles’ insane jewelry collection
The Crown Jewels consist of more than 100 pieces of jewelry and 23,000 gemstones, some of which were used during the coronation. This includes the Imperial State Crown and Queen Mary’s Crown. According to The Standard, this collection is reported to cost between £3 billion and £5 billion. King Charles also inherited his mother’s jewelry collection, and Camilla also inherited some of these items.
King Charles has amassed a large investment portfolio
In addition to having many assets, King Charles is believed to have inherited £43 million worth of shares in the Financial Times Stock Exchange, which belonged to the queen. He apparently inherited some of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s other investments, but he’s also done some personal investing of his own. Charles has invested $113,500 in Sustainable Forestry Management. Charles and the Crown’s art collection is also a form of investment, with more than 7,000 paintings and over 450,000 photos that are only gaining value as time goes on.
