Channel 4 Investigation Uncovers £50 Million in Revenue from Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall’s Public Contracts
A recent Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, The King, The Prince and Their Secret Millions, explores the financial links between the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall—held by King Charles and Prince William—and various public organizations. The investigation claims that these private estates have generated nearly £50 million through undisclosed deals with public bodies and charities.
The Duchy of Lancaster, established in 1399 and held by the monarch, and the Duchy of Cornwall, traditionally funding the Prince of Wales, oversee expansive land and commercial properties across England and Wales. While both are privately funded and operate separately from taxpayer-backed Crown Estate resources, the documentary reveals significant public contracts. Among them is a £37 million lease of Dartmoor Prison by the Duchy of Cornwall and an £11.4 million rental agreement between the Duchy of Lancaster and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust for a London warehouse.
These contracts reportedly bypassed disclosure to Parliament, raising transparency concerns. A Duchy of Cornwall spokesperson defended their commercial approach, stating it “aims to generate positive social impact,” while a Duchy of Lancaster representative emphasized a commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious management.
Following these revelations, the anti-monarchy group Republic has called on the Chancellor to review these financial links in the upcoming autumn budget, urging an investigation into the estates' involvement in public funding.