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By Alia Shoaib
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Buckingham Palace announced this week that King Charles III has paid more than $40 million in taxes since his reign began in September 2022—an unprecedented disclosure that offers one of the clearest glimpses yet into the finances of Britain's monarchy.
The move, which comes amid calls for greater transparency around the royal family, has also reignited comparisons with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose personal wealth and tax affairs have long drawn scrutiny but remain only partially disclosed.
What Is Charles' Estimated Net Worth?
According to estimates by the Sunday Times Rich List 2026, Charles' net worth is about £680 million, roughly $900 million.
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His personal wealth is more complicated to calculate than for most public figures because many of the assets associated with the monarchy are held in trust or belong to the crown rather than to the king personally.
He does not receive a salary from the government, but his private income stems primarily from profits from the Duchy of Lancaster estate, as well as personal investments and assets.
Trump's wealth is substantially higher. In March, Forbes estimated the president's net worth as about $6.5 billion, with his wealth coming from his real estate holdings, golf clubs and various business ventures.
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What Are the Sources of Trump's Wealth?
Unlike Charles, whose income is primarily tied to royal estates and investments connected to the monarchy, Trump's earnings come from privately owned assets and companies.
According to Forbes, the largest components of Trump's fortune include about $2.1 billion in cryptocurrency and liquid assets, $1.5 billion from his 10 golf clubs and resorts, $1.2 billion in real estate holdings and a $1.2 billion stake in Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social.
U.S. presidents are paid an annual salary of $400,000, though Trump has chosen to forgo his presidential salary and instead accept the symbolic $1 minimum required by law.
Trump's New Worth Since Returning to Office
Forbes estimated that Trump added $1.4 billion to his net worth over the past year, largely through his cryptocurrency ventures and licensing business.
While he increased his net worth through some ventures, his stake in Trump Media and Technology Group decreased by $1.3 billion since the previous year.
Trump has dismissed criticism from opponents who accuse him of using the office to benefit his personal finances, arguing that it costs him "billions of dollars" to be president.
Trump's full financial picture remains difficult to assess because he has never voluntarily released his tax returns, breaking with decades of presidential tradition.
What Trump's Tax Returns Showed
While he faced pressure to disclose his tax returns during his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could not release them because he was under an IRS audit. Critics said an audit did not prevent a taxpayer from voluntarily making their returns public.
In 2022, congressional Democrats released six years of Trump's federal tax returns, which showed he paid little or no federal income tax in several years by claiming business losses.
According to tax returns released by the congressional committee, Trump paid no federal income tax for several years between 2015 and 2020. He paid $750 in federal income tax in both 2016 and 2017 and almost $1 million in federal income taxes in 2018.
What Happens Next
Charles' decision to disclose his tax payments has offered a rare insight into the finances behind the British monarchy. It remains to be seen whether Trump will continue to resist calls to release his tax returns—though he appears unlikely to change his mind.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Shakeema Edwards.
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