Prince William's Net Worth: How He Built His $120 Million Fortune
Prince William's Net Worth: How He Built His $120 Million Fortune.
What is Prince William's net worth?
Prince William is part of the British royal family and has a net worth of around $120 million. He’s the eldest son of King Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. As the third-oldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, he has a younger brother named Prince Harry. Before his grandmother passed away, he was known as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Now, with his dad as king, he holds the title of Prince of Wales.
Born on June 21, 1981, William was the first child of a Prince and Princess of Wales since Prince John in 1905. His parents affectionately nicknamed him Wombat. He attended the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he met Kate Middleton, who would later become his wife. After completing 44 weeks of officer cadet training in December 2006, he joined the Blues and Royals regiment. By April 2008, he had finished pilot training and went on to train as a helicopter pilot. In early 2009, he became a full-time pilot with the RAF Search and Rescue Force, serving in the British Armed Forces until September 2013.
For most of his life, William was second in line to the throne. Following the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, in September 2022, he moved up to first in line, right after his father. He’s also in line for the thrones of sixteen Commonwealth realms, which include countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. Additionally, he’s second in line to be the Head of the Commonwealth and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, again following his dad.
Before his dad took the throne, most of Prince William's wealth came from a trust fund he got from his late mom. When Charles became King in September 2022, William suddenly inherited a massive real estate portfolio known as the Duchy of Cornwall. This portfolio brings in about $20-30 million a year for whoever is next in line for the crown.
We'll dive into more details about his inheritance and the land trust in the following sections. Also, both William and Harry received several million dollars when their great-grandma passed away in 2002. Typically, William's dad, Charles, spends around $4 million a year to cover William's travel, security, and other expenses.
The Diana Trust
When Diana and Charles split, he gave her a $24 million settlement, which is roughly equivalent to about $40 million today when you factor in inflation. After she passed away, that money was placed in a trust for William and Harry, set to be handed over to them on their 25th birthdays. By the time they turned 30, the trust had grown significantly, allowing each of them to inherit $20 million. This trust accounts for a big chunk of Harry and William's personal wealth.
RELATED: Prince Harry's Net Worth: How He Accumulated $60 Million.
The Duchy of Cornwall
The British royal law states that the oldest child of the reigning monarch gets to inherit the Duchy of Cornwall. This title comes with a massive real estate portfolio that provides the Crown Prince with a nice income while he waits to take the throne. The Duchy was set up back in 1337 by Edward III to ensure the heir apparent had some financial support.
When Charles became King in September 2022, William automatically stepped into the role of Prince of Wales and became the beneficiary of the Cornwall Trust. Eventually, when William becomes King, his son George will take over the trust, and the cycle continues.
The U.K. government views the trust as a "crown body," which means its income isn’t subject to taxes. This tax-exempt status has faced challenges over the years, leading Prince Charles to voluntarily pay taxes on the income since 1993. He paid a 50% tax rate for about ten years and switched to 25% after getting married in 1991. Since 1993, he has been paying the standard UK income tax rate every year.
The duchy spans 133,000 acres across 23 counties in the UK and employs over 150 people. The land is utilized for farming, residential properties, and commercial ventures. As of now, the estimated value of this land is around $1.3 billion.
Typically, the trust generates just over $20 million in after-tax income from a gross revenue of $40-50 million each year. In some years, the income has exceeded $30 million. For instance, an income statement released in July 2024 showed that William made $30 million from the duchy in the previous year.
Early Life
He was born as William Arthur Philip Louis on June 21, 1982, at St Mary's Hospital in London. Royal family members typically don’t use last names. He was baptized on August 4, 1982, in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, Robert Runcie. Interestingly, that day also marked the 82nd birthday of his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, known as the Queen Mother.
William's godparents include former King Constantine II of Greece (his paternal cousin), Princess Alexandra, The Hon Mrs. Angus Ogilvy (another cousin), the Duchess of Westminster, Lady Susan Hussey, Lord Romsey (yet another cousin), and Sir Laurens van der Post.
Prince Harry's parents split in 1992, and their divorce was finalized in 1996. Tragically, Princess Diana lost her life in a car accident in Paris the following year.
William started his education at independent schools and later followed the Spencer family tradition by attending Eton College, just like his mother’s father and brother. This choice was a break from the royal norm, which usually favored Gordonstoun for their kids' education. He went to four different schools in the UK and earned a degree from the University of St Andrews.
Military Career
Prince William served as a lieutenant in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry alongside his brother, Prince Harry. Within just two years, he completed his pilot training at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and earned his wings. After that, he moved to the Royal Air Force, where he was promoted to flight lieutenant and trained to fly helicopters, aiming to become a full-time pilot with the Search and Rescue Force.
By the fall of 2010, he finished both his general and specialized helicopter training. He then worked at RAF Valley with No. 22 Squadron, taking on co-pilot responsibilities in a Sea King search and rescue helicopter.
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Personal Life
On April 29, 2011, Prince William tied the knot with his longtime love, Kate Middleton, who is now the Duchess of Cambridge, at Westminster Abbey. Just a few hours before the big day, he was awarded the titles of Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus.
Prince William's journey has been defined by duty, tradition, and a deep commitment to his family and public service. From inheriting the Duchy of Cornwall to carrying on his mother’s legacy through charitable work, he exemplifies modern royalty with grace and purpose. His dedication to causes like mental health, conservation, and veterans’ support highlights his compassion and leadership.
Alongside his wife, Kate Middleton, and their growing family, William continues to balance his responsibilities as Prince of Wales while preparing for his future role as king. With his wealth and influence, he remains a symbol of stability, generosity, and hope for the monarchy’s future.