Why the Royal Family's Annual Income Is Increasing by $56 Million in 2025
The royals will receive a whopping $165 million, which critics have called "scandalous."


2025 is already shaping up to be a fantastic year for the British Royal Family. According to a new report, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the rest of the family are set to receive a massive rise in funding from the government.
In April, the Royal Family's Sovereign Grant, which helps to fund all of their activities, will rise by more than $56 million, per People. As a result, the royals will receive a whopping $165 million in funding.
Not all of the Royal Family's Sovereign Grant is provided by the British government. Instead, "a percentage of the profits of the Crown Estate revenue (initially set at 15%)" contribute, meaning that income from properties like Buckingham Palace factors into the total (via the Royal Family's official website).
During a difficult time for the economy, critics have suggested that the monarchy spend feels a little extravagant. "Campaigners have described the rise as 'scandalous' at a time when the U.K. government is struggling to find money for other things," Town & Country reported.
The Royal Family's annual income is set for a huge rise in 2025.
Of the increased Sovereign Grant, Republic CEO Graham Smith told Town & Country, "This is public money, all of this money comes from the government, at a time when the government is not able to properly fund schools, hospitals, police." He continued, "It is scandalous...Not only should it not be going up at all, it should be going down."
The royals faced some controversy in 2024 when The Sunday Times and Channel 4 conducted an investigation into the Royal Family's income sources. Notably, the investigation scrutinized the Duchy of Cornwall and the Duchy of Lancaster, which are portfolios of private property and land owned by Prince William and King Charles, respectively. The Sunday Times found that "the duchies are making millions of pounds each year by charging government departments, councils, businesses, mining companies, and the general public via a series of commercial rents and feudal levies."
"This is public money," Republic CEO Graham Smith told Town & Country.
Royal expert Richard Palmer suggested that the general public is more discerning about government spending, which includes the Sovereign Grant. "The days of the Royal Family doing three and a half thousand engagements a year are now long gone, so the public is getting less for their money," he told Town & Country. "I do think that the monarchy in general does a good job for the country and is part of the glue that binds us all together but that doesn't mean that as an institution, as individuals, they should be able to avoid criticism. They are not above scrutiny."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.
-
This Surprising Royal Once Broke a Record in the London Marathon
The unusual record was set during the 2010 race.
By Kristin Contino
-
Blake Lively Recreates Beyoncé's Butter Yellow Outfit From Head to Toe
The styling couldn't be more Blake.
By Kelsey Stiegman
-
I Tried Kate Middleton's Surprisingly Simple Morning Routine
My results were hit or miss—but the princess is on to something with one step.
By Kristin Contino
-
I Tried Kate Middleton's Surprisingly Simple Morning Routine—Here's What Worked
My results were hit or miss—but the princess is on to something with one step.
By Kristin Contino
-
Former Royal Nanny Reveals Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Have Such Different Personalities
"You see how grounded they really are."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Why Princess Kate Will "Never" Try to "Outshine" Prince William, But She's "Hugely Influential" Behind Closed Doors
According to royal experts, Kate is often forced to act "as a gatekeeper."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Why 4 of Prince William's Ex-Girlfriends Attended His Royal Wedding to Kate Middleton
The exes were invited "due to a more peculiar upper class British tradition."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Why Prince William "Stepped in" for King Charles at Pope Francis's Funeral, According to a Royal Expert
The seating plan was described as a "master plan" of "big egos."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton "Continue to Push Boundaries" When It Comes to This Aspect of Royal Life
"They definitely have a different dynamic compared to other royal couples."
By Kristin Contino
-
Prince William Is in a "Power Struggle" With Father King Charles Over Prince Andrew's Future
The King and Prince of Wales seem to have differing views on the matter.
By Kristin Contino
-
Queen Camilla's Sister Said She "Still Finds It Impossible" to Curtsy to Her Older Sibling
"I can’t explain the feeling, because it’s so surreal."
By Kristin Contino