How Rich is the Queen?



Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth, 85, has an estimated personal net worth of $500 million that comes from property holdings including Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, stud farms, a fruit farm and marine land throughout the U.K.; extensive art and fine jewelry; and one of the world’s largest stamp collections built by her grandfather.

Not included are those assets belonging to the Crown Estate, which she gets to enjoy as Queen, such as $10 billion worth of real estate, Buckingham Palace (estimated to be worth another $5 billion), the Royal Art collection, and unmarked swans on stretches of the Thames. The Crown has claimed ownership of these birds since the 12^th century when swan meat was considered a delicacy; they are no longer eaten. The Queen also receives an annual government stipend of $12.9 million.

Because most of her wealth is tied to her position and not hers personally – in other words, she could never sell the royal assets – she is not included among the World’s Billionaires but did appear among the World’s Richest Royals in our most recent rankings.

 

As heir to the throne, Prince Charles, 62, got $28 million last year from Duchy of Cornwall Estate. He spends well over half of after tax income on official duties and charitable activities including more than $10 million last year on salaries of 150 staffers.

Princess Diana reportedly left both Prince William, 28, and Prince Harry, 26, $10 million after taxes. They apparently started receiving annual dividends at age 25, estimated at $450,000 a year. They get the full sums when each turns 30. Prince William also earns between $68,000 and $74,000 a year as a flight lieutenant with the Royal Air Force while Prince Harry receives between $50,000 and $53,000 as a helicopter pilot for the Army Air Corps. Prince William and Kate will eventually live in an eco friendly house built by Prince Charles in Herefordshire. Both princes have Ducati Superbikes that they sometimes ride for charity. Prince Harry is also a keen polo player.

Net worth estimates compiled by Cristina von Zeppelin, Forbes.com who also contributed to this report.