Prince William and King Charles have distinct approaches to their business affairs, reflecting their different generations and personal styles.
Prince William, the eldest son of King Charles, demonstrated remarkable financial acumen by amassing £23 million last year. He has also channeled significant funds into his Kensington Palace household from the lucrative Duchy of Cornwall estate. Despite their royal duties, both William and his wife Kate, both 42, showcased their philanthropic spirit through undisclosed personal donations to various charities, including those supporting Ukraine war relief and earthquake appeals in Turkey and Syria. They also contributed to the London Air Ambulance and various mental health charities.
In a modern twist, it was revealed that William prefers conducting business through WhatsApp messages, a stark departure from his father, King Charles, 77, who favors traditional phone calls.
Mr. Martin, a close associate, commented: "Sustainability is a passion they both share, but there are some differences. His Royal Highness, the 24th Duke, would telephone me, while His Royal Highness, the 25th Duke, will WhatsApp me."
He added: "The day after Her Late Majesty died, I rang Prince William to say, 'Welcome to your Duchy, Sir.' I had been working with him for the previous eight to ten years, preparing him for his future role. He said, ‘I’m going to give you my mobile telephone number - if you need me, just message me.’ That’s how he operates and he is very involved. There are weekends when my WhatsApp messages from him are in double figures, and he responds promptly. If something has gone well or badly, I inform him, and he replies immediately.”
The £23 million given to William comes from the profits of the Duchy of Cornwall estate, which he is entitled to as heir to the throne. He received the full amount in the financial year 2023 to 2024. The funds support William and his family's private lives, as well as their personal and charitable endeavors.
