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William's 30th Birthday Present: $16M

He can access princely sum from mom next month

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2012 11:39 PM CDT | Updated May 14, 2012 1:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Life will soon be even sweeter for Prince William and his popular Princess Kate. Wills is about to inherit as much as $16 million from the estate of his late mother. "It will be quite a handy sum if he wants to buy his and Kate’s first family house," a source tells the Daily Mail. "What else would he need the money for?" The royal duo have digs in London's Kensington Palace, but might now consider a second pad close to Prince Charles' Highgrove retreat, some speculate.

Diana left close to $20 million worth of stocks, jewelry, and cash after her death in 1997, but the value of the estate has likely grown through investments to just over $30 million, which is to be split between William and Harry. Diana initially wanted her boys to be able to access the dough when they turned 25, but the age was upped to 30 after she died. William's 30th birthday is June 21. The prince already earns some $60,000 a year as an Royal Air Force search-and-rescue pilot, and an allowance from his dad. In addition, he can also draw on some $3 million left in trust by the queen mother. Diana's will allowed her sons the option of dividing the estate differently. It's possible William may arrange for more of their mom's estate to go to Harry because the likely future king will earn many millions more than Harry.

Plenty to be happy about.
Plenty to be happy about.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Prince William and Kate enter the Royal Albert Hall during a gala for the British Olympic Team last week.
Prince William and Kate enter the Royal Albert Hall during a gala for the British Olympic Team last week.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Plutogirl
Jun 21, 2012 11:04 AM CDT
That money is not Willie's inheritance or Harry's or Schmate's. It belongs to the people of the UK and to the descendants of the thousands of indigenous people around the world that the British empire plundered in its heyday. The concept of royalty is disgusting and medieval and has no place in the 21st century. Give that money back to the people to whom it belongs. And stop shoving this notion that Schmate is "popular" down our throats. She's not. But a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth. That's what the media are counting on.
Redtopp
May 14, 2012 1:01 PM CDT
HIS mother...HIS money...HIS BUSINESS! At least Dinah didn't steal, or money grub, or lie, cheat or steal to get it ...ANYTHING Diana did/does if just fine with 99.9% of the world! Sod off!
Caps
May 14, 2012 10:38 AM CDT
Oh my....How can one live on 16 million? 
 

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