Controversies and boycotts don’t seem to have hurt the Canadian Weston family’s fortune as they soared even higher on the most recent U.K. rich list, surpassing even His Majesty King Charles III.
It’s perhaps fitting that, when in the U.K., the Westons live in a residence fit for royalty. According to Elle Decor, the Weston family occupies Fort Belvedere, a historic royal residence that’s part of the Windsor Estate.
The Sunday Times’ Rich List 2025 revealed a turbulent year for the country’s wealthiest, as some saw their fortunes fall while others got richer, reflecting “a stark reflection of the state of U.K. wealth.” This year, the full list includes the country’s 350 richest families and individuals, whose combined wealth is £772.8 billion (C$1.4 trillion).
His Majesty King Charles III climbed the rich list from the 258th to the 238th spot after adding £30 million (C$60 million) to his wealth in one year. The King currently has an estimated worth of £640 million (C$1.2 billion).
In comparison, the Westons, in particular Guy, George, Alannah, and Galen Weston, are now the sixth richest in the U.K. with an estimated worth of £17.746 billion ($33 billion), propelling them two spots higher to the sixth spot.
According to The Sunday Times’ Rich List 2020, the Westons had a reported fortune of £10.53 billion (C$19.62 billion), making them the eighth richest at the time. In 2024, the family retained the eighth spot and was worth £14.493 billion (C$27 billion). In the past year, the Westons, owners of Loblaw Companies and Primark, have added £3.253 billion (C$6 billion) to their wealth.
Dani Ber/Shutterstock
“This transatlantic dynasty owns Primark and the London department store Fortnum & Mason,” reads the list. “Other investments include Silver Spoon, Ryvita, and Twinings. Shares in their Canadian business, George Weston, are up 40 per cent.”
The family comes from a line of business owners after George Weston purchased a bakery in Toronto in 1884. The family also has ties to Ireland after the late and elder Galen Weston married Irish model Hilary Weston in 1966.
In Canada, the Westons are best known for Loblaw Companies, which owns Shoppers Drug Mart and supermarket chains Loblaws, No Frills, and Real Canadian Superstore.
The company has been mired in controversy in recent years. Loblaw faced allegations of participating in industry-wide price fixing for certain packaged bread products; in January, the company agreed to a C$500 million settlement. Last year, Canadian shoppers boycotted Loblaw-owned stores due to anger about soaring grocery prices. In 2023, Galen Weston Jr. stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Per Bank.
JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
However, across the pond, the Westons are associated with affordable fashion chain Primark and department store Fortnum & Mason. The family also previously owned the luxury store chain Selfridges.
Despite a £1.892 billion (C$3.5 billion) dip in their fortune, the Gopi Hinduja family retains the number one spot for the fourth year. The family owns the Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group, which, according to The Standard, operates in various industries such as energy, media and entertainment, and finance. The family is worth £35.304 billion (C$65,785).