Birthday Prince earns access to £6m inheritance

PRINCE William turns 25 today and becomes entitled to part of the inheritance left to him by his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

The second in line to the throne gains access to the income accrued on the £6.5 million he was left in the Princess's will.

But sources said that the future King will, for now, not touch the money - estimated by financial experts to be between £250,000 and £300,000 a year.

When Diana died a decade ago, she left an estate of £21 million. More than £8 million was paid in inheritance tax, leaving £12,966,022.

It was split equally between William and younger brother Prince Harry, leaving them around £6.5 million each.

Following investment, this is estimated to have grown to around £9 million.

Changes agreed to the will in December 1997 meant that, upon reaching 25, William and Harry are entitled to the whole of the income of their share.

Before the age of 25, income can be paid at the trustees' discretion.