Camilla Jessen
Despite a year marked by health challenges, King Charles has climbed the UK Rich List.
King Charles III has seen his personal wealth grow by £30 million in the past year, bringing his estimated fortune to £640 million (€759 million), according to the newly published Sunday Times Rich List.
The 76-year-old monarch now shares the same wealth level as former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, and has jumped 20 places in the UK’s top 350 richest individuals and families—rising from 258th to 238th.
Where the Wealth Comes From
According to Digi24, most of the King’s personal fortune stems from the investment portfolio and private properties he inherited from Queen Elizabeth II, notably the Sandringham estate in Norfolk and Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
These are private assets, meaning they are not part of the Crown Estate, Crown Jewels, or the Duchy of Lancaster, which are held in trust for the nation and excluded from the list’s calculations.
By contrast, his late mother’s wealth was estimated at £370 million in 2022. That means Charles’ personal wealth now exceeds hers by £270 million.
Still Richer Than the Beckhams
To put it in perspective, the King’s fortune is £140 million more than that of David and Victoria Beckham, whose combined wealth stands at £500 million.
Despite their success across sports, fashion, and business, the Beckhams now trail behind the monarch on the list.
David Beckham remains the UK’s wealthiest athlete.
Sunak and Murthy’s Wealth Dips Slightly
While King Charles’s fortune grew, the wealth of the Sunak-Murthy couple dipped by £11 million in the past year—from £651 million to £640 million.
Since stepping down as Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has taken on new roles, including a part-time position at Stanford University and speaking engagements with the Washington Speakers Bureau.
Meanwhile, Akshata Murthy continues to hold shares in Infosys, the Indian tech giant co-founded by her billionaire father.
Before ascending the throne, Charles received around £23 million annually in private income from the Duchy of Cornwall, which helped cover both personal and official expenses—including staffing, office costs, and maintenance of his residences.
The King’s boost in net worth comes during a year when the Sunday Times Rich List reports the largest decline in billionaires in its 37-year history.
This year marks the third consecutive drop in the number of billionaires in the UK.
The list includes land, property, shareholdings, and other assets such as artwork and racehorses.