Prince Charles

Prince Charles

A number of Prince Charles' charities fear they will face a funding crisis when he accedes to the throne.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth's eldest son has helped raise more than £100 million annually to support various interests in recent years, by attending events and galas and launching appeals for funds, among other work and activities.

Charles' charitable interests are wide and varied, but when he eventually takes his place on the throne his duties will change, with him having far less time to devote to raising money.

Noel Cox, professor of law at Aberystwyth University, added: "Prince Charles will not be able to hold executive positions in any of his charities once he is sovereign and in any case he would not have the time as king to devote significant time to them."

Also, protocol dictates the monarch does not actively raise funds for any individual institution, meaning many of the Prince's charities will no longer be able to rely on his patronage for their income.

Dr Bob Morris, of University College London's Constitution Unit, told the Independent newspaper: "Whereas it might be acceptable for the Prince of Wales to be seen drumming up the cash, as it were, that's not something one would expect of the head of state."

While there was no restriction in law, Bob added it was a "question of what is appropriate conduct".

This has led to over a dozen charities warning they could face a funding crisis if they are not able to use Charles' name or fundraising.

When he becomes King, the Prince will also lose the Duchy of Cornwall estate, which currently provides some funding for his charity interests.