Prince Charles attended more than 500 engagements last year

He received �13,274,000 from the Duchy of Cornwall in 2004-05, compared with �11,913,000 the previous year.

Rising income from commercial properties boosted his funds, while most agricultural rents fell.

Prince Charles raised �109m for charities during the year, and donated �2.5m from his own money to charity, the report said.

His fundraising made him "the greatest charitable entrepreneur in the world", his private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, said.

Official work

Charles received government grants of �2,688,000 for official travel, communications and property maintenance, costing 4p per taxpayer.

During the year, he appeared at more than 500 engagements, including 103 overseas, and received or entertained 7,400 official guests.

Prince Charles attended 191 formal briefings and meetings, received more than 47,000 letters from the public, and wrote more than 2,300 letters personally, with a further 18,000 written on his behalf by his office.

His wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles generated 23,083 letters to the office - 22,010 of them were supportive of the marriage and 1,073 were not.

"All the letters were passed to them and all, except the very abusive ones, were replied to," Sir Michael Peat said.

It is the second year Clarence House has published an annual review.

In the accounts for 2004, personal costs for Camilla Parker Bowles were mentioned for the first time.

Organic increase

The Duchy of Cornwall was created in 1337 by Edward III to provide an income for the heir to the throne.

Prince Charles, who is the 24th Duke of Cornwall, does not own the duchy's assets but is entitled to its annual net surplus.

Properties from which he receives an income include The Oval cricket ground and Dartmoor Prison.

The annual report said Duchy Originals, the prince's organic foods company, made a �1m profit for the second consecutive year, on increased retail sales of almost �40m, with all profits donated to charity.

Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, said that taxpayers should not be paying anything towards the monarchy.

"The whole monarchy should be abolished, but if they remain they should be paying the same tax as everyone else," said spokesman Graham Smith.

He added that the Royal accounts should be subject to Audit Office scrutiny.