Last year, Prince Charles’ annual income increased to £23 million.
The valuation of his Duchy of Cornwall holdings has reached a new high of £1.2 billion.
The approximately £93 million increase over the previous fiscal year – up slightly more than 15% – came as the Duchy witnessed a post-pandemic ‘bounce back’ thanks to staycations and a record year for commerce.
The estate includes the Isles of Scilly, The Oval cricket venue, and Dartmoor Prison among its booming mix of land, property, and investments. Charles is entitled to the profits and pays income tax willingly.
The popularity of staycations during the Covid crisis increased revenue from the Duchy’s holiday cottages, which had record bookings, while the Duchy plant nursery in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, also had a successful year.
The entire assets of the Duchy increased by £92,838,000, from £1,115,850,000 in 2020/2021 to £1,208,688,000 in 2021/22. Its net asset values, which exclude borrowing, reached a new high of £1,049,069,000, up from £953,823,000.
‘This year has witnessed a return to more normal conditions and a record financial performance,’ said Alastair Martin, the Duchy’s Secretary and Keeper of the Records.
‘Indeed, the recovery from the pandemic has been faster than expected for many of our tenants, and thus for us.’
‘Many tourists chose to spend their holidays in the UK and sought out the quality offer we give, resulting in record bookings and visits.’
Yesterday, Charles made an unexpected public appearance alongside the Queen at a rare military ceremony in Edinburgh.
More than 300 officers and archers from the Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland marched in the Reddendo parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The 96-year-old monarch, who has experienced a litany of health challenges in recent months, looked beautiful as the prince surveyed the royal company for his mother.
The trustees of the charity to which the Prince of Wales donated money provided to him by a Qatari sheikh have reported a “serious issue” to the Charities Commission.
The Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund received £2.5 million from Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Thani, Qatar’s former prime minister, on three consecutive occasions between 2011 and 2015.
The Charity Commission confirmed the’serious event report’ last night, which can encompass anything from natural calamities to harm to a charity’s activities or reputation.
However, insiders highlighted that it was a ‘procedural’ action, anticipated given the circumstances, especially when a charity is under intense media attention.