Prince William, 44, received a private income of £21.6 million from the vast land and property portfolio, the Duchy of Cornwall, in the 2025-26 period. As the Duke of Cornwall, William is entitled to receive any homes within that jurisdiction that are unclaimed, such as those where the owner had no will or next of kin. This means he inherits multiple properties each year.
Solicitors Farrer & Co, the company that deals with the proceedings for the Duchy, explains the set-up on their website. It reads: “When someone dies intestate (without a will) and without relatives entitled to the estate under the intestacy rules (known kin) the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall administer the estate if the person’s last known address falls within the Duchies’ respective geographical jurisdiction.”
“Bona Vacantia” is the Latin term for “vacant goods” and, as well as empty properties, this could relate to assets left over from dissolved companies.
While some people may find this process controversial, the Duke of Cornwall does not profit from these circumstances, the Duchy’s official website explains. It reads: “After any discretionary payments have been made, all monies are donated to charity.”
Royal family members disclose tax bills
© Getty ImagesKing Charles made history when he published his tax bill for the first time ever. The monarch paid £12.9 million in the financial year 2024-25, making him one of the UK’s top 100 taxpayers for that period. He paid £11.7million the previous year.
The annual accounts also reveal that William paid £7.76 million in tax in 2025-26, the first time he has made the figure public.
Will Prince George inherit the Duchy of Cornwall?
© Samir Hussein/WireImageWhenever Prince William ascends to the throne to become the King, Prince George will automatically take on the role of the Duke of Cornwall, as he will then be the heir to the throne. The website states: “The Duchy’s 1337 charter established that The Duke of Cornwall is the eldest surviving son of the Sovereign and the Heir to The Throne. When the current Prince of Wales accedes to the throne in the future, HRH Prince George will become Duke of Cornwall.”
With this title comes the Duchy of Cornwall portfolio, made up of property and land across 23 different counties in England and Wales, including the Oval Cricket Ground and 67,000 acres of Dartmoor. The collection currently makes William the biggest private landowner in Britain.
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