The Queen's will to remain a secret for 90 years: Her wealth may upset the public

The Queen’s death: Here's why her will will remain a secret
© Chris Jackson
The Queen’s death: Here's why her will will remain a secret
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The age-old tradition of sealing a senior royal’s will and keeping it safe started in 1910 and that’s why The Queen’s will is understood to be a secret too.

Queen Elizabeth II was often referred to as the wealthiest woman in the whole world. She held enormous wealth in the forms of investments, art, jewels and real estate from decades of colonial rule. However, no one knows the real value of her wealth and it looks like no one will ever get to know it.

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Sealed and locked bill

It has been confirmed by Livemint that Queen Elizabeth II’s will has been sealed and locked in a safe at an undisclosed location. The will of most likely the wealthiest woman around the world will be disclosed after 90 years.

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This comes after the age-old tradition of sealing thewills of senior royals after they die. By convention, after the death of a senior royal, the executor of their will gets the will sealed by the London High Court’s Family division. This sealed will is then transferred to a safe where all the wills of other senior royals rest too.

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Tim Graham
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As such, Queen Elizabeth II’s will be placed next to Prince Philip, Queen mother and her sister Princess Margaret’s will.

Why do royals seal their will?

According to The Guardian, Royal Family members have a practice of sealing their wills to hide the truth of their wealth from the public. If the public would know the true scale of a royal person’s wealth they would raise questions about the taxpayers-funded security and other things for royals – who may be able to easily afford it without the help of taxpayers.

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Norman Baker, the former government minister argues:

The main embarrassing fact is just how much money they have accumulated from public funds. If the public knew just how hugely rich they are, they might take a view that it was high time public funding was cut.

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