Can we do something about William and Charles profiting from the NHS etc ?

[Ukisgaslit]

If You haven’t seen it , the Times and Channel 4 Dispatches programme did some proper old fashioned investigative journalism and revealed how Charles and William via the Duchys are charging schools, the NHS and charities ( some they are patron of!) to use ‘their’ land.
It is not ‘their’ land - it is state land , as the crown estates are. The Duchys were overlooked in 1760 when George 111 handed his holdings over in return for annual handouts from the state - they were overlooked as they were worthless then.
They have made the Windsors billions since the mid 20th century and no corporation tax or capital gains tax paid. William recently refused to continue providing the little financial information that his father offered.

Aside from the obvious fact that the king is in a unique position, being above the law whether we like it or not ( though why is William treated as also above the law?) surely they are humiliated to be revealed as ripping off schools and charities and hospitals?

Where is the Windsor mea culpa and offer to repay with interest? Answer came there none.

So AIBU to expect MPs to please act and fold the Duchys into the crown estate ? The UK is in a weakened state and allowing this feudal greed to continue unchecked diminishes our society further .

It's the media, BBC and all the papers. Tone deaf and pretty insulting to the bloke and his family.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg7y0dendeo

I think I’d best go now…would love to know why my posts are getting deleted?!

Never happened to me before and I’m definitely posting on the right thread 🤣.

I would like to know why @Tutorpuzzle
Can you ask a moderator?

They may say suggesting another poster is not genuine is the reason .
I see it a lot though.
I suspect someone has reported you .

It’s very strange. I’ve written many a republican-leaning post before without any deletions. I don’t know whether to be offended or secretly thrilled!

I won’t post any more - we’ll see how long this one lasts (!) - but good on you,@Ukisgaslit , for starting this thread. The more light that is shone on this subject the better.

I don’t think you should leave the thread - ask a moderator for a reason .

If I was accused of being a PR plant I wouldn’t immediately want the accuser deleted . I’d be bemused .
If you find out the reason @Tutorpuzzle could you let us know ?

Yes, can’t see a ‘contact’ button on website but I will email them and let you know if I hear anything.

My first deletion very jokingly, and gently, queried the veracity of the identity of a poster, so fair enough if that’s not allowed. Second deletion, I very genuinely want to know why. Nothing to do with PR plants, or anything controversial at all. Strange…

Medieval Foundations: The Duchy of Cornwall

Established in 1337 by King Edward III, the Duchy of Cornwall was created to provide for the heir apparent, a system that continues today. Its initial purpose was to ensure that the Prince of Wales had a source of income and wealth independent of the Crown, a mechanism that helped strengthen royal governance in the late Middle Ages.

and the more people that studyed history and understood why and the context of which the duchys were created would be a bonus too

Interesting - I wonder if we had the same thought about the same user! (User123456i66iio ahem!). Maybe my conspiracy theory isn't so nutty after all - I'll wait to see if this is deleted!

In a few words, no we can’t. 🤷‍♀️

why do people think it would be better having a private company charging more etc if the lands were sold off ?

Probably not, but if enough people want to, then it becomes a votes issue.

This attitude is so bloody defeatist - no-one is saying sell it off. The suggestions are either (i) peppercorn rent or (ii) fold into Crown lands. How can they justify taking public funds out of our taxes. How can any sane person think it's acceptable for us to fund these parasites even more than we already do?

The lands would be transferred to the crown estate , no one has suggested they are ‘sold off’

The Duchys are secretive and above the law . This needs to be reformed , regardless of how you view an unaccountable head of state who is simultaneously charging the state ( ie us) rent

Sorry @Menstrualcycledisplayteam I didn’t catch up before posting and have repeated what you wrote
I agree with you

because at the time when they were created the political system and the crown was different back then and it was basically to protect the prince from being controlled by the crown (thats if im understanding the history correctly) and besides how are they above the law ? how are they any different than a modern company that uses eg tax avoidance measures that are legal ?

@Soiltypes
Are you suggesting that because the Duchys are a medieval remnant , therefore we should keep them as they are - no corporation tax, no capital gains tax ?
They claim they are both private and public in order to maximise their own profit .They refused a select committee permission to examine their finances .
And you support this ?

The Duchies’ medieval origins should not exempt them from scrutiny or reform in a modern democracy. While their historical and symbolic roles are significant, this does not justify financial practices that undermine fairness, transparency, and public confidence.

but the issues are not as simple as laid out in a tv documentary

I think most people are well aware of the Duchy origins and it sounds like you agree with thread - the Duchys are not currently subject to proper regulation and that needs reform .
It has always needed to be reformed but the symbolism of the Windsors taking from the state services like schools ans hospitals cannot be tolerated .
They should be moved to be part of the crown estate. The Windsors cannot be trusted

i can understand your points but alot of people cannot be fully trusted,

so yes i dont know what the best solution is overall ,but from studying history sometimes history and altering things can be more complex than people presume it would be etc

due to various laws, various rules that would need altering etc and that is where the public just presumes would be possible when its usually more complex etc

also we dont fully know all the accounts of private business so to some it would be seen more as undermining the royal family rather than anything worth achieving

The failure to integrate the Duchies into the Crown Estate stems from a combination of legal complexities, political sensitivity, institutional resistance, and a lack of public urgency. Governments have historically prioritized other issues, perceiving the Duchies as low-risk compared to the potential fallout of reform.

Achieving this reform would require:

Clear public demand for greater transparency and equity in royal finances.

Strong political leadership willing to confront potential backlash from royalists and navigate constitutional complexities.

Comprehensive legal and financial frameworks to manage the transition while ensuring the monarchy's financial stability.

Without these factors, reform is unlikely to move beyond theoretical debate. (at least thats my educated guesses.)

I said I wouldn’t post again (although I’m avidly reading!) but I had to respond to@Soiltypes .

Laws are reformed regularly. By your reckoning we shouldn’t be complaining about the beating we get from our husbands everyday because he was so good at finding work in the factory for our four year old, and often takes us out to watch a good hanging!

I imagine there was much opposition, and theoretical debate, about all of this too before reform actually happened.

I was not aware of this and while I agree with you most in the country are staunch monarchists so I doubt it will change.