New interview with William

[elprup]

Some interesting snippets here. He comes across as very sensible, grounded and decent. I was slightly surprised to hear him mention Harry’s name!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/royals/article-15156825/Prince-William-agenda-reform-monarchy-King.html

Yes, I was picking up on the previous reference. Though your count is wrong - it has been mentioned six (now seven) times; twice as an example of a mundane community royal visit and the rest in relation to an objection to its use.

In response to your list: Beccles, Whitby, Nuneaton, Rhyl, Shrewsbury, Wrexham, Oban, Keswick, Tenterden, Tewksbury and Mornington Crescent!

"They don’t pay capital gains tax and they don't pay corporation tax, yet they claim to act commercially," she said.
"But they can’t have it both ways. If they want to be private and commercial they have to pay the fair rate of tax as everyone else does, otherwise they get a competitive advantage".

This sums it up nicely. (She being Dame Hodge, a former Chair of the Public Accounts Committee).

Exactly. They want to be commercial when it makes them money, but not if they would be liable for taxes!!!

They don’t pay capital gains tax because they can’t sell the assets - they don’t own the Duchy of Cornwall. Corporation tax is worth considering especially in terms of commercial advantage but that still isn’t the real question which is should they be funded this way at all? If it is reasonable for them to be funded from the Duchies then it is reasonable that they should seek to make them as profitable as possible..

They don’t pay capital gains tax because they can’t sell the assets - they don’t own the Duchy of Cornwall.

I'm pretty sure it's more complicated than that, another instance when it's blurred as to him owning it when it suits the RF to gain from it, and don't when it doesn't.

It may well be mentioned in Norman Baker's book but it's a long time since I read it.

The RF really seem to struggle to get it right with the finances when it comes to their charitable works.
No wonder the Yorks ploughed through millions with never a thought in their heads that it would ever come back to bite them.
https://news.sky.com/story/inquiry-into-kings-foundation-finds-charles-former-right-hand-man-exposed-charity-to-substantial-risk-13285135

Peter Philips was a shareholder in a company which trousered a handy £750,000 when a Patron's Lunch was organised for his granny's 90th birthday back in 2016. Her charities got slightly more at £762,000.
No tender was issued for the contract.
What gives any taxpayer any confidence at all that the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster are fully transparent and truthful with any of their financial affairs.

It is in trust for the prince of wales to run in order to generate his income. It is linked to the position not the individual. Hence the King must now rent High Grove from his son. The PoW cannot sell it for his personal gain and KC couldn’t take High Grove out of the Duchy (I am sure there are plenty of princes who would have happily sold it all if they could).

How much rent does he pay for Highgrove? Please tell me that information is freely available?
Edited to add that a quick google search turns up Cosmopolitan saying that he pays £700,000 per annum.

So how much of that £700,000 might the POW pay in tax?

Investigations began after a CBE was awarded to a Saudi billionaire who had made £1.5m of donations to the Foundation.

Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz was given the honour in 2016 in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

I don't think the York princesses can be criticised particularly for their far east connections (see thread about their parents), when the entire family is involved.

They just don't have as good PR.

There is a difference between visiting people to find out how their workplace functions, how their charity functions, repairs needed in their housing unit, and cutting a supermarket ribbon before driving onto another engagement.

What do you discuss at your third ribbon cutting of the day at a supermarket? Do you like the color scheme? How do you feel about the oat milk selections? Sorry that you don't like self-check machines. The supermarket isn't going to listen to his suggestions and implement change until they see it really affects their profits. That type of engagement is just for the photo OP and no real substance.

@CrimsonStoat
Totally agree - the Middle East and China seem to have the RF in thrall - presumably because that is where the moolah is..

Would the income from the Duchies be ok if the finances were totally transparent? Is it the running of them that is the issue or their existence and income from them?

I had a boss who was in charge of four job sites. He claimed he visited all of them every day. In a 7 hour work day, he would show up, announce he was here, check his email, and leave to drive to another site. He stayed an hour at each site, factoring in travel and lunch. We used to get desperate calls for him from the other job sites, who were calling around to get him for an emergency.

He never had any idea of how things work. You could count on him for nothing. But he visited those 4 sites every day and told everyone that he did so.

The finances and the running of the Duchies should be completely transparent @CatchingtheCat. Times have changed, deference to the RF is not what it was (thank goodness) and people ask questions.
Why are the records sealed from Andrew's time as Trade Envoy for example. We will all be 6 foot under by the time those dirty secrets see the light of day.

Having to make small talk at umpteen ribbon cuttings or fancy dinners is why it is work and why certain members of the RF are bored of it. From all accounts most of the RF are very good at appearing interested in everyone.

In terms of ‘substance’ - they can’t do that. That is political and they must not interfere with the elected government (or local councils).

No idea about Andrew’s records. You can only be so transparent with commercial organisations before you are handing your competitors a huge advantage. Would it be better if the duchies were transferred to the state to run and some of the income given instead? Of sell it off and give a fixed annual sum?

He can't sell it because it's not his. Cut through the obfuscation and it's possible, likely even, that the duchies are Crown lands. Not that anyone could investigate properly because historic documents relating to then never see the light of day.

I'm sure Charles and William solidly believe they're entitled to them, and believe full disclosure would result in people misinterpreting to the extent they'd have to, at the very least, cough up more pesky taxes.

Just reading the actual investigative parts of this report gives some insight into the misdirection by the RF.

DitchtheDuchiesReportFebruary2025FINAL.pdf https://share.google/165SED9ShPyJjnErN

When was the last time a member of the RF opened a supermarket? It's usually a charitable venture surely?

@CatchingtheCat Try reading Power and the Palace by Valentine Low to see what the RF can do with soft power.

I also think it is a good idea for PW to visit his holdings so that he can see any needed changes that will positively affect his tenants.

Saudi isn't the far East 🙄🙄🙄

Sorry...middle east. 😐

Talk about missing the point @ozarina

No idea about Andrew’s records
It's worth while reading about them. The more information and knowledge people have about how the RF does its business the better for everyone.