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Kate Middleton has revitalized the royal family, similar to the days of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. And, in return, she is paid handsomely for her work for the crown. However, the salary she generates for being a “really good princess” is mind-blowing. Here’s the breakdown.

Kate Middleton’s salary is tied to Prince William’s

The royal family released the Duchy of Cornwall’s Integrated Annual Report. This document reveals the financial statements of Prince William and Kate Middleton, sharing how their money is spent and earned.

From March 2023 to March 2024, the duchy earned around £23.6 million or over $30 million U.S. dollars. Therefore, while Kate Middleton and Prince William do not receive actual paychecks for their royal roles, the Duchy of Cornwall pays for all their expenses. Thus, as Prince of Wales, that money can be used to fund William and his family’s “public, charitable and private activities.”

According to Daniela Elser of News.com.au, Kate Middleton and Prince William “were paid the equivalent of at least 635 nurses. And remember when, two weeks ago, the princess appeared at the Wimbledon men’s finals? She and William have earnt nearly $1.7 million since then.”

Elser says of Kate’s yearly earnings, “There are plenty of things you supposedly can’t put a price on. Happiness. Good health. But what about a Princess? Like, a really, really good Princess? Absolutely. And that particular number is nothing short of astronomical.”

What is the Duchy of Cornwall?

The Duchy of Cornwall was established by Edward III in 1337. The Duchy includes land, farms, and other assets in England and Wales.

The Duchy’s official website states, “A charter ruled that each future Duke of Cornwall would be the eldest surviving son of the monarch and heir to the throne.” Thus, revenues from the estate are paid to the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cornwall. Today, that’s Prince William.

According to the Duchy’s official website, “The Duchy consists of around 52,449 hectares of land in 20 counties, mostly in the South West of England. The principal activity of the Duchy is the sustainable, commercial management of its land and properties. The Duchy also has a financial investment portfolio.”

Therefore, that is a great deal of money on paper available to William and Kate. However, do they work hard enough for the crown to earn such a high salary?

Do Kate Middleton and Prince William work hard enough to be paid such a sum?

Prince William and Kate Middleton appear at Trooping the Color 2024
Prince William and Kate Middleton appear at Trooping the Color 2024 | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
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Daniella Elser of News.com.au writes that Kate Middleton and Prince William are “amply” compensated for their work — work that ensures the royal family’s survival.

The royal commentator raises a question that many royalists have pondered about the couple’s high salaries: “Are they worth it?” This is a valid point, considering that Prince William and Kate Middleton have logged fewer days as working royals than some other senior members of the family.

In December 2023, The Telegraph reported that Princess Anne was the hardest-working royal. The publication’s data came from the royal family’s Court Circular, a database that tallies the royal family’s official record of engagements for a calendar year.

Princess Anne logged 457 engagements in 365 days for the House of Windsor. King Charles was right behind his sister with 425.

Third in line was Prince Edward (297), followed by Camilla Parker Bowles (233), Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh (219), and Prince Richard (172). Prince William also made 172 appearances, followed by Kate Middleton (128).

In their defense, Kate and William are also juggling parenthood to three young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and they have made raising them a primary focus. Subsequently, as the crown’s most popular royals, the couple will likely have years ahead of them to shift their focus toward their work for the royal family more intensely as their children grow.

Kate Middleton has only appeared in public a handful of times in 2024 as she battles and receives treatment for cancer. Prince William also cut back on his public appearances to support his wife.