Prince William's Rs 21 crore earnings during leave sparks debate; What's the future king's annual income?

The internet never fails to provide information, does it? With people posting their observations and opinions on anything and everything, there¡¯s never a dearth of viral content.

In a recent viral post which is doing the rounds on X, it is being claimed that Prince William ended up earning 2 million pounds (Rs 21 crore approx) even when he was on a month-long leave. This has divided the public as the critics are enraged by this and are appealing for the abolition of monarchy, while others are voicing their support for the future king of England.

Prince William took 4 weeks off, during which he received ?2m, but its ok because he went to a Food Bank for a few hours.

Food Banks that wouldn't exist if we didn't have billionaires who steal all the money. pic.twitter.com/qjNrW5WdFS

¡ª BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) June 22, 2024

The viral post reads, ¡°Prince William took 4 weeks off, during which he received ?2m, but it's ok because he went to a Food Bank for a few hours. Food Banks that wouldn't exist if we didn't have billionaires who steal all the money.¡±

This observation has left the internet divided

No points for guessing that the post garnered a lot of traction.

One X user commented, ¡°He might well have got ?2m, but if you are suggesting it was from the taxpayers, it WASN'T. The Prince of Wales is funded solely by the Duchy of Cornwall.¡±

Another user countered this claim and called out the royal family¡¯s privilege. ¡°The royals and their blatant displays of privilege never cease to disgust me¡± .

Where does Prince William¡¯s salary come from?

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In late March, the Prince of Wales took a break from royal duties for nearly four weeks following his wife Kate's cancer announcement.

Prince William resumed his royal engagements on April 18 with a visit to Surplus to Supper, the food bank mentioned in the viral post. However, details about his earnings during his leave of absence are not typically disclosed publicly due to the private nature of royal finances.

The salary situation of Prince William is more complex than what this viral post suggests. In reality, his financial affairs are intricately linked to the Duchy of Cornwall.

Established in 1337 by Edward III of England, the Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate intended to provide income for the heir apparent to the English throne. It spans 52,449 hectares and encompasses a diverse array of assets including residential and commercial properties, farms, rivers, quarries, and coastline.

The revenue generated from these holdings supports the individual who holds the title of Duke of Cornwall, currently Prince William. Traditionally, this title is conferred upon the eldest son of the reigning British monarch, making William the current beneficiary.

Also Read: Sunil Bharti Mittal Becomes First Indian To Get Honorary Knighthood From King Charles III

How much does Prince William earn annually?

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According to the Duchy of Cornwall estate¡¯s annual report for 2023, Prince William received a private income of nearly ?6 million (Rs 63 crore approx) in the last financial year.

The Duchy reported profits of ?24.048 million (Rs 254 crore) in the fiscal year 2022-23. Although Prince William would have been entitled to the entire amount, he inherited the title of Duke of Cornwall halfway through 2022 following the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Fortune magazine suggests that the future king of England could earn over ?30 million(Rs 317 crore) this year.