‘Saving the planet' written into King's job description
The monarch's job as 'Head of Nation', which he undertakes alongside that of 'Head of State', will now include four key themes, confirmed by Buckingham Palace in an annual report.
The King and his household will work on the topics 'national unity', 'community impact', 'environmental sustainability' and 'cultural heritage'.
These themes will be 'for prioritisation and activity', guiding the royal engagements the King and Queen undertake, this year's Sovereign Grant report states.
Last year, the themes were 'unity and national identity, continuity and stability, achievement and success, and support of public and voluntary service' – similar to the wording during the late Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
This year, the Royal household's priorities include 'taking action to protect climate and nature in everything we do and encouraging others to do the same'.
The King will also focus on 'caring for and sharing the tradition, art, buildings, landscapes and artefacts of the UK so they can be enjoyed for generations to come'.
The Sovereign Grant report cements for the first time the King's personal dedication to saving the planet in his role as monarch.
He has spent decades warning about the dangers of climate change, loss of biodiversity and single-use plastics, with the environment at the heart of his public work as Prince of Wales.
The updated description was described as an 'evolution' and 'next level of detail' about the King's reign.
'Sustainability remained a focus for the Household, with initiatives including the electrification of the official [car] fleet and increased use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel resulting in a 2 per cent drop in Greenhouse Gas emissions,' the palace reported.
It added that it aimed to 'employ the circular carbon economy principles (eg re-use and recycle material, where possible)' to reduce its carbon footprint, keeping 'on track for net zero for direct emissions by 2040'.
The report said the in-house craft team had 'worked to restore or upcycle over 60 items of furniture', with a new £605,000 re-landscaping of a rose garden at Windsor Castle designed to 'greatly enhance biodiversity, using more sustainable plants'.
Sovereign grant stays at £132m
This year's report confirms that the monarchy will receive £132 million in funding in 2026-27, for the second year in a row.
The figure, which pays for the Royal family's official duties and the upkeep of royal palaces, is drawn from a proportion of the net profits of the Crown Estate, which were £1.1 billion in the last financial year.
The revenue is surrendered to the Treasury, with a proportion handed back to form the Sovereign Grant. This is currently calculated at 12 per cent of the Crown Estate net surplus, which helps fund the ongoing refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.
The palace did not report up-to-date gender pay gap figures, but said the proportion of ethnic minority employees was 21.1 per cent, against a target of 14 per cent.
This year will see a 'leadership development programme' designed partly to improve diversity 'to align to the values' stated by the household.
Frogmore cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex which was rumoured to be earmarked for the Duke of York if he left Royal Lodge, remains empty.
James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said the King had shown 'remarkable resilience' over the past year as he carried on with royal engagements despite still being treated for cancer, with the report reflecting his 'personal commitment to duty'.
Duchy of Cornwall accounts released
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has released the annual accounts of the Duchy of Cornwall, his private estate which funds the running of his staff and household.
In the last financial year, the Duchy generated profits of £22.9 million, down £700,000 from £23.6 million the previous financial year (2023-2024).
Will Bax, the Duchy's new secretary, announced that 'grassroots' community groups living on Duchy land are to have their rents waived from now on, while local charities will be rewarded with up to a 50 per cent reduction in rent.
He said William wanted to ensure the duchy operated in a 'modern, socially minded way' and that the rents being saved amounted to a 'very significant sum'.
It follows an investigation last November into the Duchy of Cornwall and the Duchy of Lancaster estate, which highlighted rental agreements worth millions of pounds with the armed forces, the NHS and state schools.
Mr Bax said the Duchy was also looking at including schools in the community groups which would be eligible for the rent waiver.
The Prince does not disclose the amount of income tax he pays, but his team confirmed it is paid at the 'highest rate' once official costs have been deducted.
New road for Mousehole AFC
One project highlighted at the annual review was the building of a new road leading to the grounds of local Cornish football team Mousehole AFC.
After reading that the small club struggled with traffic congestion, damaged vehicles and logistical problems despite rising up the league, Prince William decided to 'champion their cause', his private secretary said, with construction beginning this week.
'I look forward to seeing the new road for myself as soon as I can,' said the Prince.
Buckingham Palace also announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales will now be able to issue their own warrants.
The King has appointed the Wales' as 'grantors', with new warrants expected to be issued in their name from next year.
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