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.