This Unexpected Royal is Richer Than The King
The top three people on this list might surprise you.


Despite inheriting a hefty fortune over the years, King Charles finds himself in an unusual position: he's not actually the wealthiest member of his own family. While The King, of course, is worth quite a hefty sum, he ranks as the second wealthiest member of the Royal Family, per a recent financial analysis by the Daily Mail.
It turns out Prince William tops the list, with a 2022 "rich list" published by the Times estimating his fortune at £1.05 billion. This is largely because he took control of the Duchy of Cornwall when Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022, and, per the Daily Mail, the estate provides him with "around £24million a year" in income. The Duchy is a hereditary estate that was established in 1337 by King Edward III, primarily to provide income for the heir to the British throne.
However, this isn't William's only source of wealth. He inherited roughly £10 million when Princess Diana died and an estimated £7 million from his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, upon her 2002 death.
The King ranks as the second-richest royal, with an estimated worth of £900 million, per the publication. Like William's Duchy of Cornwall, King Charles profits from his own hereditary estate, the Duchy of Lancaster. But he likely inherited hundreds of millions of pounds when Queen Elizabeth died, too; per the Times, the late monarch's fortune "was estimated at £370 million — wealth comprised of property, investments and other assets" such as art, jewelry and "a large stamp collection."
The Prince of Wales is the richest member of the Royal Family.
Princess Anne ranks as third on the royal rich list.
However, the exact amount King Charles inherited from his mother "will almost certainly remain a mystery because a court ruling in 1820 determined that a monarch’s will does not need to be published," the Times reported.
Coming in third on the list is The King's only sister, Princess Anne, with the hard-working royal estimated as worth £50 million thanks to her Gatcombe Park estate. She also receives an income from the sovereign grant since she's a full-time working member of the Royal Family. Like King Charles, the amount of money she inherited upon Queen Elizabeth's death is unknown.
Rounding out the top five richest royals are Prince Michael of Kent at £31.5 million and Princess Margaret's son, David Armstrong-Jones, who "is thought to be worth between £19.7 and £30.7million," according to the Daily Mail. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle snagged number six on the list
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
This year, the Royal Family should become even richer, with news that the sovereign grant will rise by more than $56 million.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
Acne Doesn’t Stand a Chance Against the (Somewhat Chaotic) My Morning Routine
Keep the texture and irritation at bay with these editor-vetted items.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Hailey Bieber’s Just as Obsessed With This ‘90s Hair Accessory As the Rest of Us
The new mom was spotted in this Fashion Week-approved trend while running errands.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Prince William's Love of Family Travel "Has Been Shaped" by Princess Diana's Death and Desire for a "Normal Upbringing"
"He understands his duty but also wants to make sure his family comes first."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William's Love of Family Travel "Has Been Shaped" by Princess Diana's Death and Desire for a "Normal Upbringing"
"He understands his duty but also wants to make sure his family comes first."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
This Surprising Duo Has Been Called the "Most Compatible Royal Couple"
"They have had this deep love since they were both very young."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Royal Fans Want Details About Kate Middleton and Prince William's "Mysterious" New Family Member
This is a case for the FBI!
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
There's Only One Person King Charles "Will Listen To" When it Comes to His Health Struggles, Per Royal Expert
The busy King will no doubt be given advice from one royal.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Inside Kate Middleton's "Extra Special" Mother's Day Celebrations With Prince William and Family
"This Mother’s Day is one they can wholeheartedly celebrate as Catherine continues her recovery."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Princess Kate and Prince William Want to "Renovate" an "Abandoned" Part of Their Home, Adelaide Cottage
"I think they surprised a lot of people when they moved there," a royal expert explained.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Exclusive: How Prince Harry and Prince William Honored Princess Diana on Mother's Day
"Their mother was paramount in their life," former royal butler Paul Burrell tells 'Marie Claire.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Buckingham Palace Shares King Charles Health Update After Hospitalization, Reveals Italy Visit Status
The King will reportedly need a "suitable period of rest."
By Amy Mackelden Published