Charles Windsor challenged on council tax

Transport / 20 September 2026 Aslef hails Chiltern Railways renationalisation after Tory failure 20 September 2026 Politics / 20 September 2026 Stop the War Scotland AGM links public-sector cuts and spiralling military budgets 20 September 2026 Education / 20 September 2026 Send warning as 67% of teaching assistants covering classes for teachers 20 September 2026 Scotland / 20 September 2026 Michael Marra calls for commission to tackle child poverty 20 September 2026 Activism / 20 September 2026 Hundreds take part in silent walking peace vigil in Westminster 20 September 2026 Britain / 20 September 2026 Anti-racists confront Restore Britain’s far-right canvassers 20 September 2026 AN SNP MSP has written to Charles Windsor “seeking clarity” on whether he pays higher-rate council tax on his Scottish property empire.

Pointing out the changes to council tax aimed at tackling Scotland’s housing emergency, Aberdeen Central MSP Jack Middleton wrote: “From September 1 2026, Aberdeenshire Council has introduced a 200 per cent council tax premium on second homes. 

“This means that Balmoral Castle, one of your multiple homes away from your permanent residence at Clarence House, should be charged three times the standard rate.

“On top of this, the City of Edinburgh Council will introduce a 300 per cent council tax premium on second homes. Holyroodhouse should therefore soon be charged four times the standard rate.”

Stating he would be “hugely grateful” if Mr Windsor could confirm he is paying the higher rate, Mr Middleton also pointed out that Holyroodhouse and Balmoral are worth “£60 million” and “£50m” respectively and queried whether he “had the opportunity to contribute to the consultation” on proposals for a new mansion tax on homes valued over £1m before it closed on August 24.

Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment.

Scotland / 7 July 2026 Scottish government launch ‘mansion tax’ consultation 7 July 2026 Scotland / 29 January 2026 More than 80 per cent of Scots want fairer Council Tax system 29 January 2026 Inequality / 26 January 2026 Scottish cities trailing UK on incomes 26 January 2026 Landownership / 22 October 2025 The case for a land value tax 22 October 2025 CAROL WILCOX argues for the proper implementation of the land value tax, which could see unused plots sold off and landlords priced out of landlordism, potentially resolving the housing and planning crises