King Charles reveal personal tax bill for the first time

Britain's King Charles III reveals his personal tax bill, becoming the first British monarch to do so in a move that comes amid demands for greater transparency in royal finances, following controversies involving his brother, the former Prince Andrew.

Prince William also discloses his personal filings.

At the same briefing, royal officials say Charles and Queen Camilla will not make the Buckingham Palace their residence following a costly, decade-long renovation.

King Charles III becomes the first British monarch to reveal the taxes he pays to the government.

The king paid 12.9 million pounds in income and capital gains taxes in the 2024-25 financial year, up from 11.7 million pounds the previous year.

Also making public his personal tax bill for the first time is Prince William.

The Prince of Wales paid 7.76 million pounds, down from 8.34 million pounds the previous year, his office says.

The announcements come as the royal family attempts to shift the narrative after months of embarrassing headlines about the ties between former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The public's focus on Mountbatten-Windsor has overshadowed the king's efforts to modernise the monarchy.

Another move to modernise was the royal family's decision to pour 369 million pounds into renovating the Buckingham Palace, in hopes of increasing public access to the historic building that has been the at centre of royal life for close to two centuries.

The palace was the late Queen Elizabeth II's primary residence until 2020, when she relocated to Windsor Castle during COVID.

Charles and Queen Camilla, however, will not be calling the palace home after the costly revamp.

Instead, royal officials say the king and queen will continue to work out of the palace, which remains "the ceremonial and operational centre" of the monarchy.

For the rest of Charles' reign, the couple will reside in nearby Clarence House.

The pair also spends time at their country escape Sandringham House in Norfolk.