A recent investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times has revealed that King Charles and Prince William’s private estates are profiting substantially from public services and charities. The Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which manage thousands of leases across the United Kingdom and are exempt from certain taxes, have reportedly earned at least £50 million from rental and usage fees paid by institutions including the National Health Service (NHS), state schools, and prisons.
One significant lease involves Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London, which has committed to paying £11.4 million over 15 years to the Duchy of Lancaster to house the hospital’s electric ambulance fleet in a royal warehouse. The report highlighted that the two duchies oversee over 5,400 leases, generating millions annually to support the royal family’s charitable and personal expenses.
Despite their public advocacy for environmental issues, many properties leased by the royal estates fall short of government-mandated energy efficiency standards, with 13-14% of their residential buildings rated F or G. The investigation revealed that letting properties below an E rating has been illegal since 2020, yet numerous properties in both duchies have yet to meet these standards. The Duchy of Lancaster responded, stating that 87% of its properties are rated E or above, with the remaining awaiting upgrades or exempt from these requirements.
In addition, the Duchy of Cornwall has brokered a £37 million lease for Dartmoor Prison with the Ministry of Justice, obligating the ministry to fund all repairs despite the facility being deemed uninhabitable due to radon gas levels. Prince William’s estate also charges fees to the Royal Navy for moorings and imposes levies on the army for training access on Duchy land.
The revelations have prompted calls for a parliamentary inquiry, with some suggesting a merger of the duchies with the Crown Estate, whose profits benefit the government. Both estates stated that they are commercial entities complying with statutory requirements and have undertaken efforts to improve environmental sustainability. However, while King Charles and Prince William pay taxes on their profits after business expenses, the specific amounts remain undisclosed.
