One of my favorite stories from last night….
This has nothing to do with our current situation here in the states but I thought my readers would like to see what can be accomplished with a king (and we have one in awaiting)….
Looks like the king of the United Kingdom will get a little richer next year….
It’s a good time to be a British royal. King Charles III’s monarchy will get a 53% bump in income next year and find itself on the receiving end of about $170 million. Here’s how that number was arrived at:
- The bulk of the royal family’s wealth lies in the Crown Estate, a collection of lands and other holdings that now officially belong to Charles.
- NBC News explains that in exchange for surrendering the revenue the Crown Estate generates, the monarchy receives the Sovereign Grant, which is funded by the taxpayer.
- The Sovereign Grant had previously been equal to 25% of the Crown Estate’s profits; last year, the figure was slashed to 12%. The grant is reviewed every five years.
- But the Crown Estate had a banner year, revealing in a Wednesday report it saw profits of $1.4 billion “driven by decades of investment in offshore wind, combined with a diverse and resilient property and land portfolio.” As the Guardian explains, “The crown estate, as legal owner of the seabed, has responsibility for auctioning offshore wind rights.”
- Twelve percent of that is about $170 million, which is what the Sovereign Grant will equal for 2025-2026; the 2024-2025 Sovereign Grant totaled $110 million.
- Some of next year’s money will go to the last stages of the decade-long renovation of Buckingham Palace, a project with a $475 million price tag. The royals also intend to purchase two new helicopters next year.
- The news was met with criticism from some. The BBC has this from the head of the anti-monarchy group Republic: “We do not owe the royals a living, we do not owe them palatial homes, private helicopter travel or lives of leisure and luxury.”
- The Sovereign Grant is far from the royal family’s only source of funds. The king gets income from the Duchy of Lancaster, while the Prince of Wales gets income from the Duchy of Cornwall. William’s first full year on the receiving end of that income saw him receive $30 million, reports the Guardian.
Cha-ching!
Like I said…”it’s good to be the king”.
Any Brits wanna comment?
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
technically the monarch owns the British Isles except where land has been given or sold in the past. So in fact the republican is correct. The people do not owe the monarch his wealth and luxury. He already has it. The money allowed the Sovereign by the grant is designed to help pay for maintenance of the Royal Palaces which includes all staff costs etc. It also covers transport costs. Given how much the Country benefits from tourism due to having a Royal family, most of us don’t worry too much about the grant. if we became a republic the fear is that we would become like America with corrupt politicians. Hugs.
Thanx for the heads up…..money whether monarchy or republic is still corrupting…..chuq
Doesn’t it rather depend who has it, and what use it’s put to? Before he was King, Charles used money from the Duchy of Cornwall to create The Prince’s Trust which helped many youngsters set up in business or created opportunities for Adventure play for many who had never experienced such a thing before. He has long been a supporter of The People. I expect no less of him as our Monarch like his mother before him and his grandmother before that.
Since I am not an expert on the UK I bow to your knowledge and thoughts. chuq
We already have those corrupt politicians, David. The Tories have been stealing untold millions since 2010. And the ‘tourism’ claim is getting old now. More people go to Disneyland Paris.
We all have some corrupt politicians as we do peoplew not in politics Pete. But if we become a Republic could we become America in miniature with all the cotrruption and hate generated there, or France who may yet turn Right Wing? I’ll stick with the Royal family thanks.
I have always been a staunch Republican, David. But I am also aware I am in a minority here. Best wishes, Pete.
we will soon have a king also…the scrotus has made it so ….any sane people want to comment?
I think that sane people are on TikTok. LOL chuq
I have a different opinion to David of course, and in my opinion all the royals and their hangers-on are no better than sneering parasites. They have the money to fund themselves twice over, so I see no reason why they should receive even £1 in public money.
Best wishes, Pete.
That makes sense…..kinda like our billionaires. chuq