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The royal family
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13
bluegreygreen · 27/01/2026 08:59

Interesting.

Further down the article:

Investigating the landowners behind the Wigan site has exposed a complex system of land ownership which saw part of the dump (my emphasis) come into King’s possession.

Not quite as straightforward as it first appears, though I hope the Duchy will cooperate fully as they suggest.

Erin1975 · 27/01/2026 09:46

The Duchy seem to want it both ways. They take ownership of any assets belonging to people who die without a will or next of kin but want to be exempt from any liabilities associated with that land.

Boiledeggandtoast · 27/01/2026 09:51

I saw this last night. The hypocrisy of the king is staggering yet sadly unsurprising.

CathyorClaire · 27/01/2026 10:12

C3's perennial short arms and deep pockets coming into focus once again 😡

Way past time for both Duchy scams to be ended and the holdings absorbed into the Crown Estate.

simpsonthecat · 27/01/2026 10:13

Can they (King/Monarchy/Royal Family) sink any lower? Not in my eyes. FFS he is a billionaire yet is trying to shove this problem onto the Council so taxpayers pay for this clean up (which will be millions) and not the Duchy who own part of the land.

In one of Charles's ramblings about the environment he says "It's not what we SAY, it's what we DO"

Well, do something then!

And he said DoL money should be not for the benefit of the Privy purse but should be used for local communities and to protect the biodiversity and sustainability of the land.
He talks out of his arse.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 27/01/2026 10:16

It’s another case of Shroedinger's King, isn’t it? Simultaneously working all the hours god sends to keep on top of the detail AND so busy he can’t be expected to be on top of every detail…

OP posts:
RainbowBagels · 27/01/2026 12:30

simpsonthecat · 27/01/2026 10:13

Can they (King/Monarchy/Royal Family) sink any lower? Not in my eyes. FFS he is a billionaire yet is trying to shove this problem onto the Council so taxpayers pay for this clean up (which will be millions) and not the Duchy who own part of the land.

In one of Charles's ramblings about the environment he says "It's not what we SAY, it's what we DO"

Well, do something then!

And he said DoL money should be not for the benefit of the Privy purse but should be used for local communities and to protect the biodiversity and sustainability of the land.
He talks out of his arse.

Edited

When it comes to their pet projects, including environmentalism, its 'Do as I say so I don't have to' Especially when it comes to them putting their own hands in their pockets

BasiliskStare · 27/01/2026 13:23

I saw this link on the PR disasters thread so came to this one. For avoidance of doubt , I am by and large in support of a constitutional monarchy , BUT I think KCIII needs to get on top of this sort of stuff and make it absolutely clear what his obligations are. If offering the land to the council doesn't cut it , then I am sure he could help more ( based on supposition not fact ) and I think he should. This is very bad PR for him , and if the facts are otherwise , be transparent. I do think the RF need to be a whole lot more transparent (in many ways)

If a feudal loophole of 3/4 of a millennium is involved - wouldn't you think Charles might invite someone to update it , in the interests of keeping the monarchy up to date. This sort of thing just plays into the hands of people who don't agree with a constitutional monarchy - & I have great sympathy for their views ion many ways

I think C and his son W need to pull their fingers out on some of this sort of thing ( My words , probably a better way of saying it 😊)

Original poster
CurlewKate · 27/01/2026 13:42

BasiliskStare · 27/01/2026 13:23

I saw this link on the PR disasters thread so came to this one. For avoidance of doubt , I am by and large in support of a constitutional monarchy , BUT I think KCIII needs to get on top of this sort of stuff and make it absolutely clear what his obligations are. If offering the land to the council doesn't cut it , then I am sure he could help more ( based on supposition not fact ) and I think he should. This is very bad PR for him , and if the facts are otherwise , be transparent. I do think the RF need to be a whole lot more transparent (in many ways)

If a feudal loophole of 3/4 of a millennium is involved - wouldn't you think Charles might invite someone to update it , in the interests of keeping the monarchy up to date. This sort of thing just plays into the hands of people who don't agree with a constitutional monarchy - & I have great sympathy for their views ion many ways

I think C and his son W need to pull their fingers out on some of this sort of thing ( My words , probably a better way of saying it 😊)

Yes-that was my mistake. I was disappointed by the lack of traffic on this thread and thought a thread focussed on Royal Family PR disasters would be busier. It seems to me that this is pretty horrifying whether you’re a Royalist or not.

OP posts:
Lunde · 27/01/2026 14:11

Erin1975 · 27/01/2026 09:46

The Duchy seem to want it both ways. They take ownership of any assets belonging to people who die without a will or next of kin but want to be exempt from any liabilities associated with that land.

I'm sure the Duchy would be happy to give you the dump. Although it doesn't say who owns the rest of the site and what they are contributing to the clean up.

Lunde · 27/01/2026 14:14

BasiliskStare · 27/01/2026 13:23

I saw this link on the PR disasters thread so came to this one. For avoidance of doubt , I am by and large in support of a constitutional monarchy , BUT I think KCIII needs to get on top of this sort of stuff and make it absolutely clear what his obligations are. If offering the land to the council doesn't cut it , then I am sure he could help more ( based on supposition not fact ) and I think he should. This is very bad PR for him , and if the facts are otherwise , be transparent. I do think the RF need to be a whole lot more transparent (in many ways)

If a feudal loophole of 3/4 of a millennium is involved - wouldn't you think Charles might invite someone to update it , in the interests of keeping the monarchy up to date. This sort of thing just plays into the hands of people who don't agree with a constitutional monarchy - & I have great sympathy for their views ion many ways

I think C and his son W need to pull their fingers out on some of this sort of thing ( My words , probably a better way of saying it 😊)

So what is the answer to land without owners? Who should get it?

The government?
The local authority?
Somebody else?

Problem is nobody wants this land and Charles doesn't even own all of it.

simpsonthecat · 27/01/2026 14:26

Didn't realise a thread entitled PR Disasters only applies to Harry's PR Disasters, you were sent packing @CurlewKate

Isn't it strange no one seems to worry about the Monarchy who are here and appear to be of little interest...

This escheat law is an ass. It seems that the Duchy can take over ownerless land (like the money from wills bona vacantia) but they do not inherit the liabilities if it is considered onerous.
It appears the Duchy owns 30% of this land with the dumped waste. What a wonderful gesture it would be from the Duchy if they said they would pay for the clean up as a one off for the good of the community. People are suffering.
They got the land for free after all.

MidWayThruJanuary · 27/01/2026 14:28

It appears the Duchy owns 30% of this land with the dumped waste. What a wonderful gesture it would be from the Duchy if they said they would pay for the clean up as a one off for the good of the community. People are suffering.
They got the land for free after all.

That would certainly gain them brownie points @simpsonthecat
And the RF could do with those.

MidWayThruJanuary · 27/01/2026 14:32

@Lunde
They have offered it to Wigan Council who have determined that the cost of the clean up will exceed the value of the land.
This whole debacle is yet another example of the RF slithering out of legal obligations that everyone else in the country is subject to.

simpsonthecat · 27/01/2026 14:37

Yes, they just dig up some medieval law and run with it. What a shame those ancient laws don't apply to the general public.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 27/01/2026 14:41

I don’t know the answer to that one- but presumably the Duchy does very well well out of all the land they get for free WITHOUT toxic waste on it, so….

OP posts:
MidWayThruJanuary · 27/01/2026 14:41

Surely William could show some of his much vaunted 'power behind the throne' and stage an intervention?

MidWayThruJanuary · 27/01/2026 14:42

Wouldn't it be wonderful if a company took on the clear up and got nominated for an Earthshot award.

ShamedBySiri · 27/01/2026 15:09

Do we know if the Duchy were even aware they owned this land until this blew up?

Whilst obviously the Duchy has more resources to pay for a clear up than the average farmer this is obviously a huge tip and clearance will be complicated and expensive as well as needing cooperation of the other landowner/s of the other portion of the tip.

I’ve always thought it unfair that the environment agency will come down hard on farmers and landowners enforcing that they clear illegally dumped waste, but these illegal super tips are way more than a few bags of household waste and an old fridge.
Personally I don’t think the environment agency is nearly punitive enough in identifying and pursuing the criminals involved in this large scale organised crime that is behind these super tips. There are several around the country which I only became aware of as a result of the publicity around the Oxford one.
So I don’t think it’s a simple case of bad old Charles not coughing up and fulfilling obligations. Now if he could track down the criminals and throw them into the Tower of London for a prolonged spell I’d get right behind that.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c205gger3dgo.amp

A giant pile of rubbish is seen from above. Trees run along one side of it.

Kidlington waste mountain clearance 'to start in February' - BBC News

The government gives details of plans to remove a vast illegal waste tip in an Oxfordshire field.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c205gger3dgo.amp

bluegreygreen · 27/01/2026 15:12

Agree with everything @BasiliskStare says.

It appears the Duchy owns 30% of this land with the dumped waste. What a wonderful gesture it would be from the Duchy if they said they would pay for the clean up as a one off for the good of the community. People are suffering.
They got the land for free after all.

I think that would be a great idea, @simpsonthecat. I agree that it is poor PR for the King at present.

I can see why you went for the 'PR disasters' thread, @CurlewKate - unfortunately it's the 4th in a series of threads and the title has got shorter - probably needs to be more specific again.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 27/01/2026 15:21

bluegreygreen · 27/01/2026 15:12

Agree with everything @BasiliskStare says.

It appears the Duchy owns 30% of this land with the dumped waste. What a wonderful gesture it would be from the Duchy if they said they would pay for the clean up as a one off for the good of the community. People are suffering.
They got the land for free after all.

I think that would be a great idea, @simpsonthecat. I agree that it is poor PR for the King at present.

I can see why you went for the 'PR disasters' thread, @CurlewKate - unfortunately it's the 4th in a series of threads and the title has got shorter - probably needs to be more specific again.

I should have realized-the only members of the RF who ever do anything wrong are H&M! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
CurlewKate · 27/01/2026 15:25

ShamedBySiri · 27/01/2026 15:09

Do we know if the Duchy were even aware they owned this land until this blew up?

Whilst obviously the Duchy has more resources to pay for a clear up than the average farmer this is obviously a huge tip and clearance will be complicated and expensive as well as needing cooperation of the other landowner/s of the other portion of the tip.

I’ve always thought it unfair that the environment agency will come down hard on farmers and landowners enforcing that they clear illegally dumped waste, but these illegal super tips are way more than a few bags of household waste and an old fridge.
Personally I don’t think the environment agency is nearly punitive enough in identifying and pursuing the criminals involved in this large scale organised crime that is behind these super tips. There are several around the country which I only became aware of as a result of the publicity around the Oxford one.
So I don’t think it’s a simple case of bad old Charles not coughing up and fulfilling obligations. Now if he could track down the criminals and throw them into the Tower of London for a prolonged spell I’d get right behind that.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c205gger3dgo.amp

The EA are obviously not fit for purpose. But as I said-I bet the Duchy would be on it pretty fast if they were left land with a tin mine in it! (don’t know why I chose tin…Cornwall associations maybe?)

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 27/01/2026 15:27

CurlewKate · 27/01/2026 13:42

Yes-that was my mistake. I was disappointed by the lack of traffic on this thread and thought a thread focussed on Royal Family PR disasters would be busier. It seems to me that this is pretty horrifying whether you’re a Royalist or not.

Show quote history

@CurlewKate - this may just be a distinction in the privacy of my own mind , but I think of myself as one who thinks of themself as by and large (and not without criticism) in favour of a constitutional monarchy. I wouldn't call myself a Royalist per se. But angels and pin heads 😂.

Firstly I would like KC to make clear what his obligations are for the clearance of this land. And then , if the council don't want the land but would prefer cash for clearing it I'd like to see his answer to that. Again , I think the main thing the current WRF can do is be more transparent. And then I think various arguments get much easier.

Edit add - I think you underestimate some for thinking only H&M are "norty" I appreciate the humour though 😁💐

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