King and Prince of Wales’ estates criticised over profiting from public funds

King Charles and Prince of Wales’ estates criticised over profiting from public funds as pressure mounts on the royal households to reassess their financial ties to taxpayer backed institutions.

The Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which provide private incomes to King Charles and Prince William, have come under fire after revelations that they received millions of pounds in rent from public bodies and charities including schools, the NHS, and the armed forces.

Now, in response to the growing backlash, the King’s Duchy of Lancaster has confirmed it will "actively review" its rental agreements, aiming to address concerns over fairness and transparency in how the royal estates manage their extensive property portfolios, The Times reports.

Meanwhile, Will Bax, secretary and keeper of the records for the Duchy of Cornwall, acknowledged the impact of "media scrutiny" and revealed that the estate has waived rent for grassroots organisations such as the Scouts and slashed rates for local community groups.

The keeper of records for the Duchy of Cornwall, confirmed that contracts with schools across the Duchy of Lancaster’s sprawling 52,000 hectare estate will be reviewed. 

Meanwhile, the Duchy of Cornwall, which funds the office of the Prince of Wales and provides him a private income, reported a slight drop in income to £22.9 million last year, down from £23.6 million the previous year. 

The estate did not disclose tax details, it confirmed the Prince of Wales pays tax at the "highest rate."

Bax outlined new measures focusing on grassroots support: rents will be waived entirely for community tenants, and local charities actively working within duchy communities will receive up to a 50% rental discount when they rent directly from the estate.

"It would be remiss not to address the media scrutiny the duchy has experienced this year…We have used these challenges to stop and reflect. 

Both the duke and I are clear that we want the duchy to be worldclass in our approach to supporting people, communities and nature to flourish," Bax added.