King Charles has been questioned by Government officials over tax payments. The monarch has reportedly been sent a letter requesting that he clarifies his tax arrangements for his two royal residences.
Earlier this year, King Charles became the first monarch to reveal his tax bill, disclosing figures showing he paid £12.9m in tax for 2024-2025. Despite this, a member of the Scottish Parliament recently wrote to the monarch to ask him to clarify the taxes he pays on these homes, as reported by The Herald.
MSP seeks clarity on Scottish properties
Aberdeen Central MSP Jack Middleton said he had written to Charles “in good faith”. He hopes to get “clarity” regarding two of Charles’ properties north of the border.
The two properties in Scotland include Balmoral Castle and The Palace of Holyroodhouse. Balmoral is known for being the place where the royals holiday each summer. It was also where Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022.
Council tax premiums introduced
In September this year, Aberdeenshire Council introduced a 200% premium on second homes in the area. This now means that property owners pay 300% of the council tax rate. Edinburgh City Council is set to charge a council tax premium of 300% on second homes, reports say.
The note to the King read: “From September 1, 2026, Aberdeenshire Council has introduced a 200 per cent council tax premium on second homes.
“This means that Balmoral Castle, one of your multiple homes away from your permanent residence at Clarence House, should be charged three times the standard rate of council tax.
“On top of this, the City of Edinburgh Council will introduce a 300% Council Tax premium on second homes. Holyroodhouse should therefore soon be charged four times the standard rate.”
Balmoral is a 50,000-acre royal estate in the Scottish Highlands. Princess Eugenie has recalled how Queen Elizabeth II was “most happy there”. Today, Balmoral is privately owned by King Charles and is not a part of the Crown Estate.
