Traveling in style has always been a royal thing. From specially equipped cars to yachts and private planes, when royal family members are out performing royal duties, you can be sure that you’ll see some extraordinary means of transport. That also includes the list of things they will bring with them, as every monarch, including King Charles, has different requirements.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to go on their first official tour as king and queen across the Commonwealth and other nations worldwide next year. And when doing so, the monarch appears to have a set of particular and luxurious demands.
According to Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, Charles has quite the service at home. In fact, quite an absurd claim was made about the king’s toilet requirements while traveling… Something the now-king and the queen were reportedly furious about.
The royal family has had quite a stressful couple of months. King Charles’ coronation meant plenty of preparations, meetings, and energy, and just weeks ago, the monarch had his second “coronation” in Scotland.
Those not in favor of the monarchy have argued that the coronation should’ve been paid in full by the royal family and not the taxpayers. Just days ago, the royals – specifically King Charles – once again were in the spotlight over their finances.
King Charles to get pay rise
According to the new government plan, the king will receive a huge pay rise from the UK taxpayers. From 2025, it will boost public funding by 45%, meaning that the royal family’s grant is due to increase from £86m to £125m.
Not unlike many countries worldwide, the UK is in a cost of living crisis, according to a review of the royal funding published by the Treasury on Thursday, as reported by The Guardian.
The monarchy’s annual budget, known as the sovereign grant, is always matched against the profits from the crown estate. However, it appears that some things were not getting the attention they might’ve deserved.
“The review of the royal funding settlement was heavily spun by the Treasury to give the impression that the king would be taking a pay cut so that crown estate funds could instead be spent on public services,” the Guardian wrote.
“In fact, the report reveals the monarchy is due to receive a huge pay increase, although the rise will not kick in for another two years.”
The sovereign grant will remain at £86.3m next year. In 2025, King Charles’ public funding will increase by an estimated £38.5 million, which brings the monarchy’s paycheck to £124.8 million. The year after, in 2026, it will be £126 million.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate
John Linton – Pool/Getty Images
In the long run, King Charles and the rest of his family members will get more taxpayer funding.
“Guilty of appalling dishonesty”
However, it has been presented as a pay cut, as plenty of the money will go to public services.
The government said the change meant they had “reduced the proportion of Crown Estate profits used to calculate the Sovereign Grant.” But not everyone is having it…
Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, now accuses the UK government of “appalling dishonesty..”
“The palace and government are guilty of appalling dishonesty, trying to spin an expected huge funding increase as a cut,” Smith told Yahoo. “How can we add tens of millions of pounds to Charles’ budget when we’re told there must be a cap on child support when schools are struggling to make ends meet?
“When nurses are fighting for a decent pay rise, Charles digs his hands deeper into our pockets,” he added. “He should hang his head in shame at this grab for money and the dishonesty of suggesting it’s a cut.”
Charles and Camilla’s royal household has already begun scheduling many future events, including visits all over the UK. In the fall, the king and queen are set to revisit France, a trip initially planned for March but canceled due to the many protests in the country.
King Charles, Queen Camilla
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Next year will mean a demanding schedule for Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate Middleton. The king and queen have reportedly planned to go on the largest-ever official royal tour across Britain, the Commonwealth, and other nations worldwide, “extending a hand of friendship and support” from the Firm.
Wants to keep his mother’s “mantra” alive
They are said to prioritize visits to Australia, New Zealand, and several Commonwealth realms in the Caribbean. Moreover, a long journey to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa – about 10,000 miles away – is expected to take place in 2024.
In October, a royal source told the Mirror: “The King and his family are keen to hit the ground running in these crucial first few months and years of his reign.”
“He certainly wants to carry on the long-held mantra from his late mother of being seen to be believed and is very keen to get out and meet as many people as possible.”
Meanwhile, King Charles is said to have discussed visiting Canada “as soon as possible.” That would bring him relatively close to Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet, which could open the door for a first-ever visit to their Montecito, California home.
The royals travel in style when out on royal engagements, no matter if it’s close to their homes or abroad. It is no secret that King Charles live a life of luxury. He has an estimated net worth of around £478 million and has many estates and cars to his name.