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

The king made history on Thursday by becoming the first monarch to release tax payments.

Charles, Queen II He has paid more than £30 million in tax since becoming King following Elizabeth’s death in September 2022; William, on the other hand, has paid more than £20 million in tax since becoming Prince of Wales.

The monarchy’s core funding will rise to £100 million a year, almost doubling within three years.

Under a new formula to calculate the Sovereign Grant, which pays for the royal family’s official duties and maintenance of royal palaces, the Royal Household will receive £99.9 million in core grants in 2027-28; this is an increase of £48.1 million compared to the base grant of £51.8 million in 2024-25.

Here are some of the key figures from the 2025-26 State Grant and other royal accounts…

£99.9 million

The amount of Sovereign Grant the monarchy will receive over two years in 2027-28 due to Crown Estate profits and under the new 20.5% formula, compared to £132 million in 2025/26.

£25.2 million

King’s private income from profits from Duchy of Lancaster estate rises to £24.4m

£12.9 million

The amount the King will pay in tax in 2024-25 as he becomes the first British head of state to reveal his personal tax bill.

£21.6 million

The Prince of Wales’s annual private income from the Duchy of Cornwall estate is down from £22.9 million the previous year.

£7.76 million

William’s personal tax bill for 2024-25 has been published for the first time since he took over the Duchy of Cornwall.

£132.1 million

Total taxpayer-funded Government Grant in 2025-26 compared to £86.3 million in 2024-25, thanks to Crown Estate wind farm deal profits.

£117.2 million

The monarchy’s official net spending increased from £85.2 million in 2024/2025.

£67.5 million

Property maintenance costs compared to £41.2 million the previous year.

£5.1 million

The cost of official royal travel is up from £4.7 million the previous year.

£733,063

The 177 helicopter rides taken by members of the royal family cost less than £20,000 each.

£130,106

The most expensive trip – William’s official visit to Saudi Arabia by charter flight, which included a scheduled planning flight of 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 rented to non-working royals, Royal Household staff and other tenants, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, comes from properties rented to non-working royals, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, although no figures have been released for the exact amount the King paid for his nieces and nephews.

£3.5 million

Cleaning and hospitality costs for the Royal Household have increased from £3.2 million.

£33.7. million

The staff wage bill has risen from £29.9 million.

708

The number of public events held by the King and Queen across the UK in 2024-25 has increased by 104.

97,000

Guests attending events at official royal palaces

12%

The proportion of staff from ethnic minority backgrounds working at Buckingham Palace is 2% below the target of 14% by December 2025.

£21.3 million

Income earned to support the Government Grant – compared to £21.5 million last year.