London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025

Prince William to End Feudal Land Restrictions in Duchy of Cornwall, but Controversies Remain

The Prince of Wales agrees to lift feudal restrictions on land ownership in parts of his Duchy of Cornwall estate, but the move raises questions about the long-term impact on tenants and the role of the monarchy.
Prince William has announced a historic decision to end the last feudal restrictions on land ownership in his Duchy of Cornwall estate, a move that aims to address decades of complaints from residents in some of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the estate.

The Duchy, which spans 55,000 hectares (135,000 acres) across 23 counties in England, has been a source of tension for many of its tenants, particularly those in central Dartmoor, the national park, and the village of Newton St Loe in Somerset.

Under the new changes, tenants in these areas will be granted the right to buy the freehold of their homes for the first time, under the 2024 Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act.The reform marks a significant shift in the management of the Duchy, which has historically resisted previous attempts to modernize land ownership laws, often citing environmental sensitivities and the estate's historic ties to the crown.

The Duchy’s profit from land and property, which supported Prince William with an income of £23.6 million in the year ending March 31, has long been scrutinized, particularly after revelations that the royal family’s estates earn millions from cash-strapped public bodies and charities.However, the Prince of Wales' decision to reform land ownership laws comes with notable exclusions.

While residents on the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off the Cornish coast, will be allowed to purchase longer 990-year leases for their properties, they will not be able to buy the freehold.

The Duchy will retain the right to buy back the leases in order to manage housing supply on the islands, mirroring a model applied to 5,000 National Trust properties under the reform bill.The announcement has been met with cautious optimism from tenants who have long complained about exorbitant ground rents and the inability to extend leases.

One resident, Alan Davis, whose property is located on the historic Garrison on St Mary’s Island, welcomed the opportunity to extend his lease to 990 years, provided the terms are fair and the cost is manageable.

Davis, an outspoken critic of the Duchy, has pointed to the high ground rents that can range from £1,500 to £7,000 annually, with leaseholders also responsible for maintaining the property.While the Duchy has promised to fulfill its obligations under the new reforms, the details of the implementation are still being worked out.

The National Trust, which has been involved in similar reforms, has stated that it would pay market value if it were to exercise its right to buy back leases on its properties.

Tenants, however, remain wary of the Duchy’s intentions, with some accusing Prince William and his staff of exploiting the islands' unique community and economic conditions.The Duchy of Cornwall, created in 1337, has long been a symbol of royal land ownership, and the decision to lift feudal restrictions is a notable step toward modernizing the management of such estates.

Yet, it raises important questions about the role of the monarchy in land ownership and whether such reforms go far enough to address the concerns of tenants who have long felt sidelined.This move by Prince William is likely to have significant political and social implications, not only for the residents of the Duchy but also for the wider debate surrounding land reform in the UK.

Critics argue that while the reform is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough in addressing the broader issues of property rights and the historical legacy of royal estates.

As the details of the changes are finalized, it will be crucial to monitor how these reforms are implemented and whether they will lead to further calls for more comprehensive land ownership reform across the UK.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×