How much does the royal family cost? A breakdown of the key figures as Sovereign Grant increases again

How much does the royal family cost? A breakdown of the key figures as Sovereign Grant increases again Here are some of the key figures from the 2025-26 Sovereign Grant and other royal accounts - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The King made history on Thursday when he became the first monarch to release their tax payments. Since Charles became King following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 he has paid more than £30 million in tax, while William has made payments of more than £20 million in tax since becoming the Prince of Wales. It comes as the core funding of the monarchy is to jump to £100 million a year, almost doubling in the space of three years. Under a new formula for calculating the Sovereign Grant, which pays for the royal family’s official duties and the upkeep of royal palaces, the Royal Household is to receive £99.9 million as a core grant in 2027-28, a jump of £48.1 million compared with the core grant of £51.8 million in 2024-25. Here are some of the key figures from the 2025-26 Sovereign Grant and other royal accounts... £99.9 million The amount of Sovereign Grant the monarchy will receive in two years’ time in 2027-28 because of the £487 million Crown Estate profits and under a new 20.5% formula, compared with £132 million in 2025/26. £25.2 million The King’s private income from the profits of the Duchy of Lancaster estate, up from £24.4 million £12.9 million The amount the King paid in tax in 2024-25 as he became the first British head of state to disclose their personal tax bill. £21.6 million The Prince of Wales’s annual private income from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, down from £22.9 million the previous year. £7.76 million William’s personal tax bill from 2024-25, published for the first time since he inherited the Duchy of Cornwall. £132.1 million The total taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant in 2025-26, compared to £86.3 million in 2024-25, thanks to the Crown Estate wind farm deal profits. £117.2 million Official net expenditure by the monarchy, a rise from £85.2 million in 2024/2025. £67.5 million Cost of property maintenance, compared with £41.2 million the previous year. £5.1 million Cost of official royal travel, a rise from £4.7 million the previous year. £733,063 Cost of 177 helicopter journeys made by members of the royal family, costing less than £20,000 each. £130,106 The most expensive journey – William’s official visit to Saudi Arabia on a charter flight, including a scheduled planning flight by staff. £126,946 Cost of the King and Queen’s flight to Rome for their state visit to Italy. £3.9 million Rental income from properties let to non-working royals including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Royal Household staff and other tenants, with no figures released for the exact amount the King pays for his nieces. £3.5 million Cost of housekeeping and hospitality for the Royal Household, up from £3.2 million. £33.7. million The wage bill for staff, up from £29.9 million. 708 The number of public engagements carried out by the King and Queen across the UK in 2024-25 – a rise of 104. 97,000 Guests who attended events at official royal palaces 12% Proportion of staff from ethnic minority backgrounds working for Buckingham Palace, 2% short of the target of 14% by December 2025. £21.3 million Income earned to supplement the Sovereign Grant – compared with £21.5 million last year. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments