In Great Britain, too, the cost of living is currently rising rapidly. According to media reports, King Charles wants to support low-income palace staff with energy bonuses. The surcharge is therefore not financed with taxpayers' money: the king reaches into his own pocket.
King Charles III According to media reports, he pays his low-income employees a bonus out of his own pocket. The one-off payment is intended to cushion the consequences of rising living costs, the Sun newspaper reported. Employees with an annual income of up to £30,000 will receive a bonus of £600 (€685), those earning up to £40,000 will receive a bonus of £400 (€456) and those earning up to £45,000 will receive a bonus of £350 (€399). In total, it's about tens of thousands of pounds.
As the BBC reported, no tax money is used for this. Instead, the bonus is paid from the king's private income, known as the Privy Purse. The monarch receives substantial annual income from the Duchy of Lancaster's lands and real estate holdings, amounting to £24m in financial year 2021/22 (31 March 2022). In 2020/21 there were 491 full-time jobs in the royal household. According to the Sun, the king also employs 101 people at Clarence House, Charles' former residence. The wages and salaries of £23.7 million were paid from the so-called Sovereign Grant. This is tax money that pays for the royal family's livelihood and maintenance of the royal lands.
The bonus reflects the reality of the economic situation the country is facing, a palace source told The Sun. "Very aware of the rising cost of energy for people, the king is concerned about the economic well-being of the loyal palace staff and is doing what he can." Energy costs in Great Britain have been rising significantly for months, with inflation recently exceeding 10 percent.
