After greater than 70 years of reigning over the UK, Queen Elizabeth II died on the age of 96 at Balmoral Fortress in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on September 8, 2022.
Every thing — the monarchy, the royal property, and the non-public property of Queen Elizabeth II — will now go to her first son, King Charles III. However what precisely does that include?
Here is what the British sovereign truly owns. Every time attainable, we have additionally damaged down how a lot cash an asset is price; some issues have been owned by the royal household so lengthy that they have not been priced by trendy requirements, or are price a lot cash (as within the case with jewels) that consultants have a tough time estimating a worth.
The Crown Property
The Crown Property — additionally known as Monarchy PLC — is the company that controls all the lands and holdings of the British monarch, whoever it might be. Imagine it or not, the royal household themselves solely have a restricted quantity of management over the Crown Property. Most of it’s run by an unbiased council on behalf of the monarchy.
Nonetheless, technically, all the lands of Wales, Northern Eire, and England belong to the Crown Property. (Scotland created its personal property in 2016, the Crown Property Scotland, which is run as a public company on behalf of the Scottish authorities.)
The whole lot of the Crown Property is price $34.3 billion in property.
Buckingham Palace
Probably the most well-known palace for the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace, can be its most recognizable. It was initially constructed for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and bought by King George III in 1761 and has remained within the royal household ever since.
That is the place the household tends to greet guests and crowds, and serves as the executive places of work of the monarch of the UK. The property is valued at $4.9 billion.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond
This crown was the crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mom, who was Elizabeth II’s mom. On the aspect, barely to the appropriate, the headpiece comprises the Koh-i-Noor diamond. It is without doubt one of the largest minimize diamonds on this planet.
The precise origins are unclear, but it surely was first recorded as being a part of the Peacock Chair within the Mughal Empire of India within the 1740s. After Queen Victoria annexed India within the 1840s, she obtained the Koh-i-Noor diamond for herself.
The governments of Iran, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan have all made claims to the diamond and demanded its return since India declared independence in 1947, however the British authorities claims it has the authorized proper to personal the diamond underneath a 176-year-old treaty.
Balmoral Fortress
Balmoral Fortress is a privately owned residence positioned in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was bought by Elizabeth II and can now be handed all the way down to Charles III. Based on Forbes, the property is price $140 million.
This fort is the place Queen Elizabeth II was staying when she died at 96 in September 2022.
Princess Diana’s engagement ring
Earlier than she married then-Prince Charles, Woman Diana Spencer picked an engagement ring that was a bit controversial on the time, because it was from a jeweler’s catalog somewhat than the household holdings.
Nonetheless, the general public cherished her massive sapphire ring, which was fairly distinctive on the time, and it’s now a cherished piece of the royal household. When Prince William proposed to Catherine Middleton, he used his mom’s engagement ring to take action.
Specialists in 2014 pegged the worth of the ring at round $500,000.
Duchy of Cornwall
A duchy is a big swath of lands managed by a member of the royal household to generate revenue for the crown.
The Duchy of Cornwall is round 135,000 acres, and was established in 1337 by Edward III for his son, Edward Prince of Wales. By custom, the Duchy of Cornwall has been managed by the Prince of Wales.
Charles III made the Duchy of Cornwall significantly worthwhile, and it generated $26 million in 2021. All the property is valued at $1.3 billion.
Although the duchy is technically exempt from taxes, Charles started voluntarily making tax funds beginning in 1993 after Parliament started contemplating additional taxes on the royal household.
The duchy is now managed by Prince William.
Queen Victoria’s marriage ceremony gown
Some royal outfits are on show at properties everywhere in the United Kingdom, however this one, Queen Victoria’s marriage ceremony gown, is of explicit significance. She was one of many first royals to put on a white gown on her marriage ceremony day, and it turned a development that continues to at the present time. The gown was manufactured from heavy satin silk and Honniton lace.
It is pictured right here on show at Kensington Palace as a part of its “A Century of Queens” marriage ceremony gown exhibition.
Windsor Fortress
The unique Windsor Fortress, positioned in Berkshire outdoors of London, was constructed by William the Conqueror. It has been occupied by the British monarch since 1100, when William’s son Henry I took over and made this his main residence. This makes Windsor Fortress the longest-occupied fort in Europe.
Windsor Fortress was the first residence of Elizabeth II, and served as a spot of refuge for the royal household throughout World Battle II. It is estimated to be price round $574 million.
Coronation necklace and earrings
This necklace and these earrings (pictured right here with Queen Mary’s Dorset Bow Broach) have been designed for Queen Victoria throughout her reign, containing diamonds from the Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Lahare diamond.
They have been worn once more by Elizabeth II at her coronation. She continued to put on them ceaselessly all through her life. They’re price round $345,000.
Portray by Claude Monet
The royal household is understood for its intensive artwork assortment as properly.
That is “Examine of Rocks; Creuse: ‘Le Bloc'” by Claude Monet. In 1949, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mom bought it for $2300, and by the point of her loss of life in 2002, it was price about $17,000.
The Monet portray hung in her essential residence at Clarence Home for a number of years, however is now on show at Buckingham Palace as a part of the Royal Assortment Belief.
Palace of Westminster
You may acknowledge this because the Homes of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, a.ok.a. the hanging clock that homes Huge Ben. (Technically, Huge Ben is the identify of the bell, not the entire tower.)
However technically, your entire constructing is owned by the Crown, on mortgage to the British parliamentary authorities. Nevertheless it’s one of the vital London establishments and has been dwelling to the Home of Lords and the Home of Commons for hundreds of years.
Rembrandt portray
An exhibition coordinator reveals off this Rembrandt portray, entitled “Agartha Bas,” on the Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace. It made its means into the royal household as a present to George IV from one in all his lords.
It’s unknown how a lot this explicit portray is price, however unique Rembrandt items usually go for tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} at auctions.
Hyde Park
Along with royal properties, the Crown Property additionally owns and manages many parks, very like the US Nationwide Park Service. One in all these open areas is Hyde Park, which was taken from the Westminster Abbey by Henry VIII and became a looking floor.
London’s Hyde Park is one in all its greatest identified, and its well-known Audio system’ Nook is an open-air space the place public demonstrations, discussions, speeches, and debates are allowed. All the park is price about $22 million.
Bentley State Limousines
This Bentley State Limousines (there are two!) have been designed by Bentley for Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee in 2002. They’re price round $11 million every.
The automobiles are armored, the tires are strengthened with Kevlar, the cabin might be sealed hermetic in gasoline assaults, and it is even blast-resistant. There are opaque glass panels which might be put in for privateness, however they’re detachable in case the monarch needs to wave at crowds.
Fabergé eggs
This Fabergé egg was initially commissioned by Russia’s Tsar Nicholas II by Peter Carl Fabergé himself. It made its strategy to Queen Mary in 1933, and is now on show at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Assortment owns a minimum of 4 of the 57 Fabergé eggs that have been created and nonetheless survive: The Basket of Flowers egg, the Colonnade egg, the Twelve Panel egg, and the Mosaic egg, pictured right here.
Authentic Fabergé eggs are price hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is positioned in London, and is a former looking park that overlooks the River Thames and the Isle of Canines. It is also the situation of the Prime Meridian, which is the reference level for Greenwich Imply Time — which determines time zones for your entire world.
The park is at present being renovated and restored to protect its historicity and improve its biodiversity.
Honiton christening robe
Queen Victoria initially commissioned this Honiton lace christening robe for her personal daughter, Princess Victoria. It was worn by all royal infants (direct kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the monarch) till 2004, when it was retired after Elizabeth II deemed it too fragile for additional put on. She commissioned a precise reproduction.
It was final utilized in November 2021 for the delivery of August Brooksbank, the son of Princess Eugenie. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is seen right here holding Princess Charlotte as she wears the christening robe in 2015.
Greville Chandelier Earrings
In 1942, an heiress named Dame Margaret Greville donated her intensive jewellery assortment to her buddy, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mom. A kind of included was a pair of chandelier earrings, pictured right here, which got to Elizabeth II on her marriage ceremony day in 1947.
The queen truly did not have her ears pierced on the time, however received them pierced in order that she might put on the earrings, which have been one in all her favourite pairs. She wore them repeatedly all through her life.
Waitrose Duchy Natural
It isn’t all simply estates and jewellery and property owned by the household.
King Charles III has been involved in natural meals because the ’80s, and in 1990 he started an organization referred to as Duchy Originals as an outlet for natural meals grown within the Duchy of Cornwall, which he managed till stepping down in 2021 in preparation for the throne.
It’s a wholly owned subsidiary of the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund. The administration of this firm will possible now go to Prince William.
In 2009, Duchy Originals shaped a cope with Waitrose to create Waitrose Duchy Organics and improve profitability. All the income are donated again to the Charitable Fund in flip, so technically, the royal household would not make any cash from it.
In 2021, Waitrose Duchy Organics reported a revenue of $4.1 million. They’ve donated $35 million in charity since 2009, and with growing curiosity in natural meals, gross sales have risen prior to now few years.
Royal Philatelic Assortment
Postage stamps have been in use in the UK since 1840, and by 1864, members of the royal household have been amassing them. A lot so, in truth, that they compiled all their collected postage stamps into an official Royal Philatelic Assortment.
This stamp assortment has nearly all main postage stamps all through U.Okay. historical past, and particular person items are every price within the 1000’s.
Adelaide Cottage
The four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, positioned half a mile from Windsor Fortress, was the residence of alternative for Prince William and his household of 5. They moved into it in the summertime of 2022 to be nearer to their kids’s faculty. It options, amongst different accents, a marble hearth.
For the reason that passing of Elizabeth II, the household plans to maneuver again to Windsor Fortress. William and Kate intend to delay their transfer for a time to keep up a way of stability for his or her kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Coronation ceremony regalia
This was the ceremony regalia current on the coronation of George V in 1910, all of which is on show on the Tower of London when not in use. A few of these objects have been anticipated to seem once more at coronation of Charles III.
Objects included are the Imperial Crown, the Crown of St. Edward, the Royal Sceptre, the Orb, the Ampulla which comprises the Oil of Anointing, the Sword of Mercy, the Sword of State, the Sword of Providing, the Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Religious Justice, St. Edward’s Workers, three totally different scepters, and the maces of the Sergeants-at-Arms.
It is unimaginable to estimate what these uncommon, historic, jewel-filled coronation objects can be price altogether.
Tower of London
It isn’t a working palace any extra, but it surely was. And the property continues to be owned as a part of the Crown Property.
The Tower of London, formally referred to as His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, now capabilities as a museum and is a protected World Heritage Website as a result of its intensive historical past.
It is also the single most precious piece of property in the UK, estimated to be price about $81 billion.
The Black Prince’s Ruby
The crimson cabochon crimson spinel seen right here on the Imperial State Crown known as the Black Prince’s Ruby, because it was given to Edward of Woodstock, often known as the Black Prince, within the 14th century.
It is known as a “ruby” as a result of rubies and spinels weren’t identified to be distinct gems till the 18th century. It’s unknown how a lot the jewel is price, however it’s the largest uncut spinel on this planet.
Duchy of Lancaster
The Duchy of Cornwall is not the one duchy owned by the Crown — there’s additionally a Duchy of Lancaster, which consists of 45,550 acres of British land.
It isn’t as worthwhile because the Duchy of Cornwall and is technically managed by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who’s Nadhim Zahawi — the second-highest rating minister after the Prime Minister. The earnings generated goes on to the sovereign.
The land is estimated to be price $748 million, and its web earnings in 2021 was about $25 million.
Right here, Charles III visits Morecambe, a city in Lancashire, England.
Royal costumes
The Royal Assortment Belief, owned and operated by the Crown Property in honor of the sovereign monarch, is dwelling to lots of of costumes worn by members of the royal household.
Right here, Royal Assortment Belief deputy surveyor and curator Caroline de Guitaut units out a fancy dress show for Christmas decorations at Windsor Fortress.
These costumes have been a part of then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret’s household custom to entertain themselves at Christmas by staging pantomime reveals, particularly as they bunkered down at Windsor Fortress throughout World Battle II.
The Diamond Diadem
This Diamond Diadem was made in 1820 for George IV. It was recurrently worn by recurrently by Queen Victoria after it was reset with jewels from the royal assortment.
Queen Elizabeth II wore this diadem within the procession to her coronation in 1953, after which wore it yearly on the annual State Opening of Parliament, which happens each time the British Parliament begins a brand new session.
The jewellery consultants at Steven Stone estimated it to be price round $6.9 million.
Bellangé furnishings
Pierre-Antoine Bellangé was a French furnishings maker who created elaborate Gothic and Empire types of furnishings for ultra-wealthy folks all through the 18th and nineteenth centuries.
Many items might be present in Buckingham Palace.
The Story of Abraham tapestries
That is the Nice Corridor of Hampton Courtroom Palace, however have a look at the tapestries on the partitions. These are well-known Flemish works that that depict the life and tales of the biblical prophet Abraham.
“The Story of Abraham” set was commissioned by Henry VIII and delivered to him in 1543. In 1643 they have been priced at £8,260 — which might be $1.54 million at the moment in U.S. foreign money.
The Church of England
Whilst you cannot actually “personal” a non secular denomination, the British monarchy has been head of the Church of England since Henry VIII separated England from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534.
It is one of many wealthiest non secular organizations on this planet and is valued at $11.97 billion. Whereas Charles III is the pinnacle of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the principal non secular chief.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The official residence of the British monarch in Scotland is the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The positioning can be dwelling to the historic sixteenth century flats owned by Mary, Queen of Scots, that are open to the general public except the royal household is in residence. Holyrood Palace is estimated to be price round $63 million.
Michelangelo drawings
The Royal Assortment has a minimum of 20 drawings from the famed artist Michelangelo, together with this one, “The Resurrection,” drawn circa 1532.
Michelangelo drawings typically fetch tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} at auctions.
Sandringham Home
One of many different non-public residences owned by Queen Elizabeth II included Sandringham Home in Norfolk, England. Native residents positioned floral tributes on the gates of the home following the loss of life of the queen on September 8, 2022.
Based on Forbes, Sandringham Home is estimated to be price $65 million.
Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is positioned simply north of Regent’s Park in London, so they’re each managed by The Royal Parks.
Regent’s Park is understood for its sporting actions, and was even set to be the positioning of some competitions within the 2012 Summer season Olympics in London, however was modified on the final minute.
The Cullinan diamond
The Cullinan diamond is the biggest gem-quality uncut diamond ever discovered, found in South Africa in 1905. Ultimately, it was gifted to Edward VII, who had it minimize into 9 main stones, 90 minor stones, and 19.5 carats’ price of unpolished fragments.
Two of the key stones are a part of the Crown Jewels, whereas the opposite seven have been privately owned by Elizabeth II. The biggest stone, Cullinan I, is estimated to be price between $400 million or extra. The late queen is pictured right here carrying the Cullinan V Coronary heart Brooch.
The Stuart Sapphire
The Stuart Sapphire, seen right here on the again of Queen Elizabeth’s Imperial State Crown, was truly initially on the entrance of the crown. The origin of the sapphire is obscure, however it will definitely handed into the Stuart household.
Edward VII moved the 104-carat sapphire to the again after he obtained the Cullinan II diamond, which now sits on the entrance.
The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross
The Sovereign’s Sceptre was commissioned in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II and is now an vital a part of the Crown Jewel assortment, and is at all times included in coronation ceremonies. It was redesigned in 1910 to incorporate Cullinan I, known as the Nice Star of Africa.
It’s the largest clear-cut diamond on this planet.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is positioned in Kensington Gardens, a neighborhood of London, and has been in use by the residency because the seventeenth century. The large location is commonly the residence of a number of members of the royal household. It is estimated to be price $630 million.
The State Rooms in Kensington Palace are managed by a nonprofit group referred to as Historic Royal Palaces, which doesn’t obtain public funding. These are open to the general public. The executive and resident areas, nevertheless, are funded by the Royal Family, with no public entry allowed.
Leonardo da Vinci drawings
Leonardo da Vinci is without doubt one of the most well-known artists and polymaths ever, and naturally the British monarchs personal a whopping 600 drawings made by him. It is thought of the perfect assortment of da Vinci drawings on this planet.
One of many sketches contains this anatomical drawing of the muscle tissues of the shoulder, arms, and bones of the foot. It was drawn in ink circa 1510-11 and might be seen on the Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace.
A single, small da Vinci sketch offered for $12.2 million in July 2021 — so think about what 600 drawings can be price.
No inheritance tax
In the UK, anybody who has an property price greater than $375 million should pay a 40% inheritance tax. However that would not go for the monarchy.
Leaving apart something owned by the monarchy itself, Queen Elizabeth II was estimated to be price round $500 million as a personal citizen — all of which now passes to Charles III.
Hillsborough Fortress
Hillsborough Fortress is the official and solely royal residence of Northern Eire. It was constructed within the 18th century for an Irish marquess. Every time points in Northern Eire come up, peace talks normally happen at this residence.
The fort is estimated to be price round $92 million.
APL Anglesey and CE Strathearn
It may be tough to keep up picture rights when you’re a member of the royal household — maybe essentially the most notable public figures on this planet — however that hasn’t stopped Prince William and Princess Catherine.
Prince William established a agency referred to as APL Anglesey. Princess Catherine established an analogous one referred to as CE Strathearn.
This can allow the 2 to promote official merchandise, however it should additionally give them energy to legally cease folks from promoting objects that would hurt their picture.
Brompton Cemetery
The Brompton Cemetery of London, one of many better-known backyard cemeteries on this planet, is managed by The Royal Parks. It was established in 1839 as an Act of Parliament.
There are greater than 205,000 graves and 35,00 monuments positioned on 40 acres of land.
Sèvres porcelain assortment
With greater than 500 items within the Royal Assortment, the royal household owns the world’s largest assortment of Sèvres porcelain, such because the vase featured right here.
Historic items of Sèvres porcelain normally promote for $4,000 to $8,000, however distinctive items can go for a lot larger.
Frogmore Cottage
Frogmore Cottage was initially named Double Backyard Cottage when it was constructed for Queen Charlotte in 1801. The identify modified to Frogmore in 1875 after Queen Victoria ate there and commented on the “immense variety of little frogs.”
In 2019, the cottage was transformed to a four-bedroom dwelling to be the main residence of Duke Harry and Duchess Meghan.
Harry’s cousin, Princess Eugenie, took up residence on the cottage in November 2020 along with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their son August.
“The Miraculous Draught of Fishes” by Raphael
“The Miraculous Draught of Fishes” is a tapestry by Raphael circa 1515, referring to the 2 Biblical miracles.
The portray is owned by the Royal Assortment, and might be seen on the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. These Raphaels are price hundreds of thousands.
St James’s Palace
St. James’s Palace was commissioned by Henry VIII. He used the palace as a secondary residence to flee day by day courtroom life. To at the present time, it’s nonetheless technically thought of the formal location of the Royal Courtroom.
The palace advanced contains the York Home, the place Charles III lived together with his sons William and Harry within the Nineties, and the Clarence Home, the previous dwelling of the Queen Mom and the place Charles and Camilla resided till their ascension to the throne in September 2022. It is supposedly price $690 million.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is the most important of the Royal Parks. It was established by Charles I within the seventeenth century, and is at the moment one of the vital nature reserves in England.
It is significantly identified for its deer inhabitants, alongside historic bushes, beetles, and fungi. There’s additionally a big inhabitants of ring-necked parakeets, because of birds who escaped from captivity. It is greater than 2,500 acres.
The Stuart and Cumberland Papers
The Royal Assortment is not simply artwork, furnishings, gems, and costumes — it additionally buys and shows historic writings and papers as a part of the Royal Archives.
The Stuart household took over the crown after Elizabeth I died with out heirs. A lot of their rule, nevertheless, was marked by Catholic-Protestant tensions. The final Catholic British monarch, James II of England, was deposed in 1689.
Members of the Stuart household have been then exiled, and correspondence was despatched about failed makes an attempt to regain the throne. These papers are priceless to historians.
The Royal Lodge
The Royal Lodge, positioned in Berkshire, England close to Windsor Fortress, is the first location of embattled royal Prince Andrew, pictured right here in entrance of the residence.
He has lived there since its renovation in 2004 and resides together with his ex-wife, Duchess Sarah. It was constructed initially in 1662, however has been demolished and rebuilt a number of occasions since then.
