Prince William‘s decision not to disclose the taxes he pays on his private income has raised questions and sparked debate. According to royal expert Chris Ship, there is only one likely reason for this lack of transparency.
Prince William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall estate following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. This vast property portfolio generated substantial profits of 23.6 million ($30.5 million) over the last financial year.
While King Charles, during his tenure as Duke of Cornwall, provided a full breakdown of household costs and disclosed his tax payments, Prince William has chosen a different approach.
Chris Ship, ITV’s royal editor, suggests that Prince William‘s refusal to reveal his tax payments indicates a shift towards less transparency compared to his father.
In an episode of the Talking Royals podcast, Ship explained, “He [Prince William] is handling things in a slightly different way and I’d say a bit less transparently. The only conclusion is that he doesn’t want to be as open as his father was. It’s as simple as that.”
Legal Obligations and Public Expectations
The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate, and as such, Prince William is not legally obligated to disclose how much tax he pays.
This was confirmed by his spokesperson when queried about the lack of disclosure. However, the decision has led to public speculation and criticism, with some expecting the heir to the throne to maintain the same level of openness as King Charles.
This development comes amidst other notable changes in the public engagements of Prince William and Princess Kate.
After facing criticism over a Mother’s Day picture in March, the couple has adjusted their approach to sharing family photos.
Recently, they marked Prince George‘s 11th birthday by releasing a picture on social media rather than through traditional media outlets. This approach was also used for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis‘s birthdays earlier in the year.
Prince William‘s decision to keep his tax payments private reflects a broader strategy of maintaining certain boundaries around his personal finances.
While this choice aligns with his legal rights, it contrasts with the transparency practiced by his father, King Charles, during his time as Duke of Cornwall.