King Charles ‘has nothing to hide’ as he makes history with royal first | Royal | News

Charles will publish his financial details as the royal family seeks to improve “clarity and accessibility” on the monarchy’s finances by preparing a new report on the matter. The King’s decision, who spent the week at Royal Ascot, contrasts with the Prince of Wales, who has not disclosed the taxes he has paid since becoming heir to the throne. Now a royal commentator has praised the monarch for offering transparency when it comes to royal finances.

TelegramDeputy Royal Editor Victoria Ward said financial transparency “has long been seen as a weak point for the monarchy” and that Charles had made a “valiant attempt to change the future”.

Ms Ward added that the decision had always been a “work in progress” for the monarch, who inherited an institution from her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, and whose “covert operations are deeply rooted in a decade-old mantra of ‘never complain, never explain'”.

But the palace is said to hope Charles’ actions will be “clarified and contextualised” and provide a fuller and more accessible picture.

Ms Ward said: “Both the King and his heir hope that by shedding some light they can debunk some conspiracy theories, dispel doubts and present the monarchy as a modern institution with nothing to hide.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Whilst this is the first time a monarch has shared this personal tax information, you may recall that it was similarly disclosed by His Royal Highness when he was the Prince of Wales.

“The decision to do this as Sovereign came at the express request of the King himself as part of the adaptations carried out since accession.”

Next week, the King’s total personal tax information for the 2024-25 financial year will be published, along with other reports on the royal finances.

Once the audit is completed, 2025-26 tax details will be released next year.