King Charles’ coronation: How much is King Charles III worth?

The upcoming coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla on May 6 will be a resplendent display of the British monarchy’s immense wealth and historical significance. The Crown Jewels and other symbolic regalia will adorn the event, reflecting the vast riches amassed by the royal family over centuries.

According to a comprehensive audit by The Guardian, in collaboration with 12 experts, King Charles III’s net worth has soared to an estimated $2.3 billion. This staggering fortune encompasses a diverse array of assets, including country estates, rare automobiles, and precious jewels. However, one of the most valuable assets in the king’s possession is an intangible one – an exemption from the United Kingdom’s inheritance tax, which would have otherwise claimed 40% of his inherited wealth.

In contrast, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s net worth was estimated at $500 million by Forbes last year. Her assets primarily consisted of the Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Sandringham House in England, an extensive art collection, jewels, investments, and real estate holdings. The coronation ceremony will serve as a grand spectacle, showcasing the monarchy’s opulent legacy and the transfer of power to the new sovereign.

The valuation of King Charles III’s wealth is a subject of debate, with varying estimates from different sources. While The Guardian pegs his net worth at a staggering $27 billion, the U.K.’s Sunday Times offers a more conservative figure of around $750 million. This discrepancy arises from the complexity of assessing the monarch’s financial holdings, as many assets are not publicly disclosed, and some properties perceived as belonging to the monarchy are actually owned by the U.K. government.

One significant component of King Charles’ wealth is the Duchy of Lancaster, a private estate owned by the monarch spanning approximately 45,000 acres across England and Wales. This vast estate encompasses a diverse range of properties, including castles like Lancaster Castle and commercial properties in London’s Savoy precinct. According to The Guardian, the Duchy of Lancaster provided Queen Elizabeth II with profits of nearly $140 million in the five years preceding her death, and the total value of its assets is estimated to be around $820 million.

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will feature a remarkable display of privately owned jewels that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. Among these treasures is a 94.4-carat pear-cut diamond, one of the “Lesser Stars of Africa,” which will adorn Camilla’s crown. This exceptional gem, typically part of a brooch valued at over $226 million, is just one of the 54 privately owned jewels now in Charles’ possession, collectively estimated to be worth around $670 million according to The Guardian. While these personal jewels represent a significant portion of the monarch’s wealth, it is important to note that the iconic Crown Jewels, which will also be showcased during the coronation, are owned by the state and are not part of Charles’ private holdings.

Balmoral and Sandringham, two iconic royal estates, have been inherited by King Charles III from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Balmoral, the Scottish estate where the Queen passed away last year, spans a vast 53,000 acres and is valued at an impressive $100 million. Sandringham, located in Norfolk, encompasses farmland and rental properties, with an estimated worth of $315 million. Together, these two properties are valued at a staggering $415 million. It’s important to note that other renowned royal residences, such as Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, are not personally owned by the King but are instead properties of the state.

The late Queen Elizabeth II possessed an impressive array of valuable assets beyond her real estate holdings. Her collection of racehorses, numbering around 70 thoroughbreds, was valued at an estimated $34 million by The Guardian. Additionally, the Queen owned the Royal Philatelic Collection, considered one of the finest stamp collections in the world, featuring rare stamps from countries like Laos and Canada, with an estimated value of $125 million. Her art collection, including works by renowned artists such as Monet, Chagall, and Dalí, was valued at approximately $30 million.

Furthermore, King Charles III is likely to have significant wealth tied up in stocks and other investments. Based on research conducted in 1993 into the royal family’s shares in FTSE 100 companies, The Guardian estimates these holdings to be worth around $180 million. If the monarch had maintained those investments over time, they would be valued at approximately $150 million today. Considering the potential reinvestment of the Crown’s private income into the stock market over the years, it is reasonable to assume that King Charles III possesses at least $180 million in stocks and other investments.

The Guardian’s investigation revealed that the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and Sandringham house an impressive collection of 23 cars, although not all of them are privately owned by King Charles III. Among the privately owned vehicles is a rare 1950 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, one of only 18 units ever produced by the manufacturer. This particular car was purchased by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip before her coronation and is estimated to be worth around $3 million. The Guardian further estimates the total value of the king’s privately owned cars to be approximately $8 million. This collection includes prestigious marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and other high-end automobiles, reflecting the royal family’s affinity for luxury and exclusivity.