Channel 4 Investigation Reveals Revenue Streams and Controversial Land Use from Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall
An investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times has revealed substantial earnings by the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall—royal estates overseen by King Charles and Prince William, respectively—through agreements with public bodies and charities. The Duchy of Cornwall, under Prince William, reportedly secured £22 million from Camelford House rentals alone since 2005.
Further, a lease with the Ministry of Justice for Dartmoor Prison is set to bring in an estimated £37 million over 25 years. Meanwhile, St John’s Ambulance, where King Charles serves as patron, has previously paid the Duchy of Cornwall close to £60,000 for land access, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) faces fees for using Duchy-owned slipways.
The Duchy of Lancaster, supporting King Charles, recently finalized an £11.4 million deal with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust to store electric ambulances, sparking scrutiny over the Duchy’s financial operations. Environmental concerns also arose, with allegations of mining leases on Duchy land linked to heavy polluters.
A spokesperson for the Duchy of Cornwall defended the estate’s practices, emphasizing its commitment to balancing commercial goals with positive social and environmental impact. Prince William, since assuming the title Duke of Cornwall in 2022, has pledged net-zero emissions by 2032, mental health support for tenants, and homelessness initiatives in Cornwall.
