Prince Michael of Kent: Biography, Net Worth & Controversy

Prince Michael of Kent does not draw a salary from the Crown, yet he lives rent-free in a four-bedroom apartment at Kensington Palace, sits 53rd in line to the throne at age 83, and still accepts public engagements while running a private consultancy. This profile untangles his documented biography from the recurring controversies and the fuzzy net‑worth estimates that follow him.

Full name: Prince Michael George Charles Franklin ·
Born: 4 July 1942 ·
Line to throne: 53rd ·
Children: 2 ·
Residence: Kensington Palace

Eight key facts, one pattern: Prince Michael’s life is a mix of documented lineage and opaque finances.

What happened to Prince Michael of Kent?

Is Prince Michael of Kent still alive?

• Yes. As of 2025, Prince Michael of Kent is alive. He has not abdicated any royal duties, nor are there any confirmed reports of serious illness (Tatler (British society magazine)).

He continues to attend public engagements but at a reduced pace due to his age (Tatler).

What is his current health?

No official statement has been issued about any specific illness. Media speculation about his health has not been confirmed by the palace (Express (UK daily newspaper)).

Recent public appearances

He was seen at the Trooping the Colour in 2024 and at the State Opening of Parliament in 2023. The pace has slowed compared to a decade ago (Tatler).

The implication: for a prince whose health draws periodic speculation, the palace silence leaves room for rumour to fill the gap.

What does Prince Michael of Kent do for a living?

Business ventures and consultancy

• He runs a private consultancy business called Prince Michael of Kent Ltd. (Tatler (British society magazine))
• He became the first royal to learn Russian and qualified as an interpreter, which has helped his business in Russia (The Royal Family (official UK monarchy site)).
• He has given paid speeches and facilitated business introductions – an unusual sideline for a working royal (The List (US entertainment news site)).

Charity patronage

• Debrett’s reports he is involved with around 100 charities and organisations (Debrett’s (British etiquette authority)).
• His patronages include the Brooklands Museum Trust, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, and the Children’s Burns Trust (Debrett’s).

Royal duties and public roles

• He carries out occasional royal engagements on behalf of the monarchy but is not a full‑time working royal (Tatler).
• He and his wife receive no public funding for their duties (Tatler).

The pattern: his business income fills a gap the Crown will not cover, but it creates a conflict between private profit and public role.

How rich is Prince Michael of Kent?

Estimated net worth

• Estimates vary widely. The Express (UK daily newspaper) reported about $40 million (£33 million) in 2022.
• Other sources place the figure between £10 million and £15 million, reflecting more conservative property and asset valuations (Tatler (British society magazine)).
• No official disclosure exists, so any number is an approximation.

Sources of wealth

• He inherited property and trust funds from his father, Prince George, Duke of Kent (Tatler).
• His consultancy and speaking fees provide income (The List (US entertainment news site)).
• Between 2002 and 2008 he reportedly received £320,000 from exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky (HELLO! (UK celebrity & royal magazine)).

Property and assets

• His primary residence is a four‑bedroom apartment in Kensington Palace, provided rent‑free (Tatler).
• He also owns a country house in Gloucestershire (Tatler).

The implication: without official disclosure, every net‑worth figure is a guess dressed as fact.

Where does Prince Michael of Kent live now?

Kensington Palace apartment

• He resides in a four‑bedroom apartment in Kensington Palace, the same complex that houses other royal family members (Tatler).
• The apartment was renovated in 2019 at public expense, which attracted criticism given that the couple do not perform full‑time official duties (Express (UK daily newspaper)).

Other properties

• He owns a country home in Gloucestershire, though it is not used as a primary residence (Tatler).

Security arrangements

• As a member of the Royal Family, his palace residence is protected by the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty Protection unit (Tatler).
• When staying at the country house, private security is used.

The catch: a rent-free palace apartment that costs the taxpayer for upkeep, while the prince pockets private income from consultancy work.

What is the controversy with Princess Michael of Kent?

Racist remarks incidents

• In 2012, at a private dinner in New York, Princess Michael reportedly made comments about black people that were widely condemned as racist (HELLO! (UK celebrity & royal magazine)).
• She later apologised, saying she had been “tired and emotional.”

Blackamoor brooch incident

• In 2017 she wore a blackamoor brooch to a royal family Christmas lunch, causing a public backlash (The List (US entertainment news site)).
• The brooch was later described as offensive and insensitive.

Other controversies

• She has made additional insensitive remarks over the years, including about Chinese people and refugees (HELLO!).
• Prince Michael has often defended his wife publicly, saying she is “misunderstood.”

The pattern: each new controversy reinforces the perception that the couple treat royal status as a shield rather than a duty.

“Our public work and fundraising includes raising more than £25,000 for the Children’s Fire and Burns Trust.”

— The Royal Family website on the couple’s charitable efforts

“In 2021 he was accused of offering to sell access to Vladimir Putin’s representatives for more than £143,000.”

— HELLO! magazine on the Russian access allegations

The implication: Prince Michael’s life is a balancing act between the dignity of his title and the commercial reality of earning a living. For a monarchy that leans heavily on symbolism, his side‑hustle is an anomaly. The pattern: he remains a working royal in name, but the work is increasingly private rather than public.

For readers interested in more about prince Michael’s current status, prince Michaels current status provides a detailed overview of his age, health, and net worth as of 2025.

Frequently asked questions

For the British taxpayer, the choice is clear: Prince Michael occupies a palace apartment at public cost while his income remains private. Either the monarchy clarifies the separation between public and private roles, or the scrutiny will only grow.

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