The Most Expensive Things Queen Elizabeth II Owns

Owned Since: 1066
Valued At: Over $100 billion* 

Just like how Queen Elizabeth II owns a good portion of the U.K.’s coastline, she also owns the British Seabed. The British Seabed has been around since 1,066 A.D. when the Norman Conquest first established the territory. Because the Queen owns the seabed (consisting of both the ocean floor and the ground under the sea), she also owns all the lucrative mining rights to the area.

The British Seabed @scubadesign / Shutterstock.com

One former Prime Minister estimated that drilling under the seabed could be worth $60 billion alone. These profits come in addition to the windfall from the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, located in the North Sea off the coast of Kent. 

These valuable natural resources aside, this is one of the more interesting examples of personally-owned undersea territory known. While its initial value may not have been obvious in 1066, clearly it’s a holding that’s paid off big time in the millennium since.

Owned Since: 17th Century
Valued At: $10 billion*

King Charles I first started to collect art back in the 17th century. As each new sovereign came into power, the collection passed to them. It contains over 150,000 pieces, some by the most notorious painters in history, like Raphael and Rembrandt. 

150,000 Works of Art @Andrew and Annemarie / Flickr.com

Many different outlets have reported on Queen Elizabeth II’s impressive art collection, including ViacomCBS. Back in 2012 Liz was given more works to add to her trove by the Royal Academy of Arts to celebrate 60 years as England’s monarch. This transaction hit headlines across the world as it added even more value to the $10 billion-dollar collection. 

Known colloquially as the Royal Collection, this incredible gallery includes original works throughout the ages, including pieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Fans Hals, Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt (his most beloved self-portrait, in fact).

Owned Since: Late 11th Century (Windsor Castle)
Valued At: $18 billion* 

It’s hard to put a price tag on the Queen’s royal residences. There are six in all, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyrood Palace, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham Estate, and Hillsborough Castle. Holyrood is the Queen’s Scottish residence, while Sandringham is the holiday home and Hillsborough the Irish residence.

Six Royal Residences @HVRIS / Shutterstock.com

Buckingham Palace is, undoubtedly, the headquarters. Windsor Castle serves as the Queen’s country home, while Balmoral is where the Queen stays during the summer. According to Town and Country Magazine, Balmoral is the Queen’s favorite home. The Queen has stayed there throughout 2020, and she is not expected to return to her Buckingham headquarters this year.

Additionally, many of the Queen’s other real estate holdings served as formal Royal Residencies in the past as well. Though in most cases (like the Tower of London) they’ve since become historical landmarks and no longer serve as actual living quarters.

Owned Since: Unknown
Valued At: Over $2 billion* 

The Crown Estate has many different aspects to its portfolio, and one such section is the “retail and leisure” real estate, which includes, among other holdings, three shopping centers. That’s right, the Queen can shop whenever she wants. The retail portfolio is impressive, with over $2 billion coming from retail.

Three Shopping Centres @Foto-up / Shutterstock.com

The Crown Estate estimates that its retail centers have seen over 100 million shoppers in just the past year. There are seventeen “retail and leisure” hotspots at these shopping centers. The total land owned works out to 7 million square feet. According to the Crown Estate, ten percent of the portfolio is still “under development,” meaning that these numbers are likely to increase.

This is one area where the Queen’s holdings consistently grow and gain value as the years go by. The shopping centers themselves pay a handsome premium to set up shop on royal territory, adding even more value to the Crown Estate.

Owned Since: 15th Century
Valued At: $130,000*

While the Queen was born in 1926, her right to own all the swans floating on the River Thames dates way back to the 15th Century. In fact, Her Majesty actually owns all of the “unclaimed mute swans” on any water throughout England and Wales, according to Google.

All The Swans on the River Thames @Natakim / Shutterstock.com

The Queen is only concerned about the ones on the Thames, though. At last count, there were 437 of the regal white ducks on the stretch of water. Considering a swan will set you back around $300 to buy, this little nest egg is worth around $130,000. 

Hundreds of years ago, this would’ve been one of the Royal Family’s most impressive portfolios, as swans used to be a delicacy for high-class Brits back in the day. Today, thankfully, this is no longer the case. In fact, the Queen conducts an annual count of all the swans to make sure their numbers are still strong.

Owned Since: 1953
Valued At: $700,000*

With over 1333 diamonds, the famous Diamond Diadem tiara was made at a cost of $8,216 in 1820 by Rundell & Bridge. George IV had charged the designers with making this glittering headpiece. While George wore it himself, it became more famous as one of Queen Victoria’s pieces. Queen Elizabeth II wore it as part of her coronation in 1953. 

1333 Diamond Tiara @Ana Gavino / Pinterest.com

Worth an estimated $700,000 in today’s money, it’s enough to turn Tiffany’s green with envy. It’s one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry in the Queen’s entire grand collection. The diadem had become almost synonymous with Elizabeth. She is wearing it on stamps and banknotes used in all of the Commonwealth territories. 

Historians will quickly recognize this crown from countless depictions of the Royal Family over the generations. It’s the same diadem worn by Queen Adelaide and every Queen since. When it’s not adorning the royal head, the tiara can be found at Buckingham palace for public view.

Owned Since: 1940s
Valued At: $9 million*

Horse racing has long since been a prized tradition in Britain. Her Majesty has probably never had to hop online and place a bet on DraftKings, but make no mistake – she knows about the world of gambling. Elizabeth first co-owned a racing horse in the 1940s with her mother but has since gone on to own several winning stallions. 

A Team of Racehorses @NEIL ROY JOHNSON / Shutterstock.com

All in all, the Queen has won over 451 races and accumulated a fortune of $9 million from her prized horses. It’s thought that Liz has at least 30 horses actively working and always keeps a keen eye on any up-and-comers that are worthy of investment. 

Horses, of course, have been a longtime tradition for many royal family members. Elizabeth began riding as a child (even receiving her first horse when she was four), and continues regularly riding even to this day. 

Owned Since: 1953
Valued At: $56 billion*

New York might have the Empire State building but can it really be compared to The Tower of London? It certainly doesn’t have quite as much history. Queen Elizabeth II is the rightful owner of the $56 billion-dollar asset thanks to her position on the throne. Technically, it belongs to whoever has the crown. 

The Tower of London @Alexander Chalkin / Shutterstock.com

The structure was first built back in 1078, but it became best-known for its history as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries. Famous names such as Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I before she took to the throne were held captive within its walls. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination.

Its iconic (and symbolic) status aside, the Tower also has immense historical significance. It once housed the Crown Jewels of England, and then was used as a royal residence by the Tudors. Famously, the Tower was transformed into a prison during both World Wars before being restored to its current prestigious state.

Owned Since: Date unknown
Valued At: $2 billion*

You can buy a property on Regent Street in London for just £200 in the British version of Hasbro’s Monopoly, but in real life, it would cost you a darn sight more. Thankfully for the Queen, she doesn’t have to worry about collecting her paper money. She already owns most of it. 

Regent Street @Cedric Weber / Shutterstock.com

The Crown Estate has been the proud owner of the $2 billion slice of property for quite some time, although it’s not immediately clear when the deal was struck. It’s most likely a very old, long-standing agreement that predates Elizabeth herself. 

Regent Street has since become one of the most important stretches of road in England – and not just because of all the excellent shopping opportunities it offers. Many of the buildings on the street are quite historic, constantly drawing floors of tourists year after year.

Owned Since: 1451
Valued At: $140 million* (Balmoral Castle) 

Rumored to be the Queen’s favorite residence, Balmoral Estate is her Scottish home. Located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the entire estate covers 50,000 acres. The Royal Family continues to add to it, and the Estate is certainly a working one. Balmoral has farmland, forestry, grouse moors, and managed herds of ponies, deer, and Highland cattle.

50,000-acre Balmoral Estate in Northeast Scotland @Duncan Andison / Shutterstock.com

Balmoral first appeared in the Crown’s records in 1451, when it was called “Bouchmorale.” The name was a combination of Gaelic and Welsh. Now, Balmoral Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in Scotland. The Castle, which is a classic example of baronial architecture, was finished in 1856.

The lot was famously bought by Prince Albert himself, who later helped the architect redesign the Balmoral property. Interestingly, the land itself isn’t in the Crown Estate’s portfolio; it is privately-owned by the Queen herself.

Owned Since: 1862
Valued At: $65 million* (House)

Located in Norfolk, England, the Sandringham Estate is Queen Elizabeth II’s country home. It has been around since the Elizabethan Era, when a large manor was built on the property. That was later torn down in the 1700s and replaced by a mansion for the owners, the Henleys. Sandringham changed hands throughout the years.

20,000-acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk@LizCoughlan / Shutterstock.com

It wasn’t until 1862 that the Estate fell into Royal hands. The King at the time was devoted to Sandringham, once writing in a letter to his mother that he was “so happy” there and “love[d] the place.” In 1977, Sandringham was opened to the public for the first time.

The lot was bought for the Prince of Wales as a wedding gift, taking three decades to fully construct the manor. Famously, this is also the site of King George V’s death (as well as his debut Christmas broadcast to the public).

Owned Since: 1964 (Drilling Rights)
Valued At: $64 billion* (Oil)

A valuable natural resource (valued in the billions) that Queen Elizabeth II owns is the UKCS. The UK Continental Shelf consists of the waters around the UK. The Crown owns the mineral rights to this water, which covers the English Channel, Irish Sea, North Atlantic, and North Sea. There are huge oil and gas reserves in the UKCS.

The UK's Continental Shelf @Jiri Vondrous / Shutterstock.com

The BEIS’ Oil and Gas Authority is in charge of awarding contracts and licensing to oil companies. These companies are only allowed to drill in certain areas (the shelf is divided into rectangular quadrants). The companies are also subject to production limitations. And, of course, the Crown gets a cut. 

Again, this is an intriguing (and somewhat rare) instance of ownership governing maritime property. While the land itself has been a part of the Crown Estate for generations, the drilling rights are a relatively new – and incredibly profitable – addition to the portfolio.

Owned Since: 2019
Valued At: Priceless

Out of all the things Her Majesty owns, from designer handbags to sprawling palaces, one of her favorite things is a bat colony that set up home in the main hall at Balmoral Castle. In 2019 reports surfaced that Elizabeth had found a new hobby that could have easily been inspired by the likes of the Discovery Channel.

A Bat Colony @MilletStudio / Shutterstock.com

The winged creatures set up camp in the main hall at the Aberdeenshire estate, but instead of leaving it to the help to sort out, Elizabeth was actively involved. She reportedly enjoyed catching them in butterfly nets. 

While the Queen’s royal employees regularly capture (and releases) the bats from the castle, the staff has been instructed to actually keep the windows to the home open – so that the bats can reenter the estate at their leisure, and the game of catch can continue. 

Owned Since: 1066
Valued At: $88 billion* 

Queen Elizabeth II is the largest landholder in the world. Through her Crown Estate portfolio she personally owns 6.6 billion acres of land. King Abdullah, the runner-up, is billions of acres behind the Queen (owning just 547 million acres). The Queen is the monarch of thirty-two countries. She is the head of the Commonwealth for fifty-four countries.

An Estimated 6.6 Billion Acres of Land Worldwide @Matthew Dixon / Shutterstock.com

The Crown Estate portfolio returns its profits on the land to the Royal Treasury, though the Queen does get a nice 15% cut. If 6.6 billion acres doesn’t shock you, the fraction will—that is the equivalent of one-sixth of the Earth’s surface.

Many of these vast holdings include land that was bought (or otherwise acquired) during England’s colonization years. But the sheer amount of land the Crown owns in England alone is an astonishing portfolio all unto itself.