The Prince and Princess of Wales are undeniably among the most beloved members of the royal family.
This week, the future king found himself in a tricky situation when a young boy boldly asked him about his personal finances.
Despite not knowing the exact amount in his bank account, Prince William handled the question with humor and grace.
In this article, we delve into the prince’s staggering fortune and explore where his wealth comes from.
During a visit to a youth violence project in Manchester, 11-year-old Amir Hassan put Prince William on the spot by asking him, “How much do you have in your bank account?”
Rather than brushing off the question, the Prince of Wales laughed and admitted that he didn’t have an answer.
However, thanks to annual public reports, we can shed light on William’s vast fortune, which has seen a significant boost since the passing of the late queen.
Upon the death of his grandmother, William and his wife Catherine not only acquired impressive new titles but also inherited the immense Duchy of Cornwall empire.
This inheritance has catapulted William into the billionaire club.
The Duchy of Cornwall, established by Edward III in 1337 for his son Prince Edward, is a private estate estimated to be worth around £1 billion.
It spans 52,549 hectares across 20 counties in south-western England and is currently under William’s stewardship as the Duke of Cornwall.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that William received a private income of nearly £6 million from the Duchy of Cornwall in the previous financial year.
However, his finances have become more complex since becoming the heir to the throne.
The vast expanse of land owned by the Duchy means that William technically possesses various surprising properties and has some rather unusual tenants.
Among the remarkable holdings within the Duchy of Cornwall estate is the Isles of Scilly, a stunning archipelago.
Additionally, one of William’s tenants is none other than his father, King Charles.
The King’s personal country retreat, Highgrove, located in Gloucestershire, sits on Duchy of Cornwall land, effectively making William his father’s landlord.
The Duchy also boasts ownership of Dartmoor Prison, one of England’s most notorious correctional facilities.
While the estate predominantly covers rural areas, it also extends to London, specifically Kennington.
This means that the Duchy possesses one of the world’s most renowned cricket grounds, the Oval.
The Oval has witnessed numerous victories for England, including the iconic Ashes win in 2005, and serves as the home ground for Surrey County Cricket Club.
Furthermore, William received another substantial payment following the death of his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, in March 2002.
Although she placed a significant portion of her wealth into a trust fund to be divided among all her great-grandchildren, Prince Harry was entitled to a larger share than William.
The brothers split a sum of $14 million, with Harry receiving a greater portion, as agreed upon by their late great-grandmother.
This decision was based on the fact that William was set to inherit the Duchy of Cornwall in the future, while Harry would not.
Even before his inheritance of the Duchy, William had amassed millions through various inheritance payments.
Reports indicate that he inherited $10 million following the tragic demise of his mother, Princess Diana.
Diana, known for her generosity, ensured that both her sons, William and Harry, were financially provided for, along with her godchildren and favorite staff members.
At the time of her passing in 1997, the net value of her estate exceeded £21 million, according to the appendix to her will.
In conclusion, Prince William’s staggering fortune is a result of his inheritance of the Duchy of Cornwall, along with various other financial assets.
Despite not knowing the exact amount in his bank account, William’s wealth is undoubtedly substantial.
His responsibilities as a member of the royal family and future king are intertwined with the management of the Duchy, which encompasses vast land holdings and diverse properties across England.