When Prince William was on a recent tour of the Duchy of Cornwall, he was caught off guard when one of the tenants at the estate asked him directly if the houses on the land could be declared rent-free, The Telegraph reports. But in response, the prince laughed and deftly sidestepped the proposal.
What was the Question?
While visiting farmers, workers, and locals in the course of his routine work as Duke of Cornwall, Prince William was faced with a cheeky request from pensioner Gerald Addicott. The tenant inquired if His Royal Highness could waive rents on Duchy properties.
The 42-year-old future king didn’t flinch from the moment. He laughed and told them it wasn’t the first time he’d had to be asked something like that. He said he even broached the subject with the team responsible for managing the Duchy’s finances. “There were a lot of sweaty faces” after they did the numbers, he quipped.
Vision for the Duchy
Describing how he would do that, Prince William stated, “I see the Duchy as an extension of the work we do with the Royal Foundation.” It is a philanthropic endeavor he operates together with his wife, Princess Kate.
He went on to explain, saying, “I see it as a branch of my philanthropy,” and continued, “There’s so much good we can do in the rural world. I see it [the Duchy] as another arm to the work that I want to do, which is being a positive force for good.”
Prince William took over the Duchy of Cornwall when King Charles took the throne in 2022. The estate covers over 20 counties in England and Wales and generates funding for the heir. The prince makes visits to the estate every four to six weeks as part of his duties to remain engaged with those who work and reside on the property.
