A new report which targeted the Royal Family's finances in particular has been causing quite a bit of a stir. Indeed, it made serious accusations against King Charles and Prince William. So far, neither son nor father have responded to the alleged bombshell revelations.
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Royals accused of receiving money from charities
A new documentary about the royals' finances just came out, and it has already made some noise. In the investigation, made by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times, it has been alleged that King Charles and Prince William's royal estates hold deals with public bodies and charities.
According to the report, the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall have raised around £50 million in the last year alone. Both royal estates hold large amounts of land and commercial properties all over the United Kingdom.
The investigation claims Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall has got a £37.5 million deal with the Ministry of Justice to lease Dartmoor Prison. On King Charles' side, his Duchy of Lancaster has reportedly got an £11.4 million deal with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust to rent a warehouse in London, which is used to store ambulances.
Dame Margaret Hodge told the BBC:
The findings have raised serious question marks and I have called for a full and transparent review of both duchies.
A spokesperson for the Duchy of Lancaster, the private estate of King Charles, also spoke to the BBC, explaining that all contracts were made within the limitations of the law. They said:
The Duchy of Lancaster operates as a commercial company, managing a broad range of land and property assets across England and Wales. It complies with all relevant UK legislation and regulatory standards applicable to its range of business activities.
The investigation also reports that some of the royals' properties are in breach of basic government energy efficiency standards. According to the joint report by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times, about 14% of the Duchy of Cornwall's properties and 13% of the building owned by the Duchy of Lancaster have a performance rating of F or G, which is catastrophically low.
Since 2020, it is forbidden to rent out a property with an energy rating of anything below an E. A spokesperson for King Charles' estate responded to these allegations, and told the BBC:
The Duchy has made a number of key environmental improvements in recent years, delivering a significant increase in the number of A+, A and B EPC ratings awarded to our properties as a result of refurbishment or restoration works.
Currently, over 87% of all Duchy let properties are rated E or above. The remainder are either awaiting scheduled improvement works or are exempted under UK legislation.
King Charles seen out and about amid backlash
None of the parties involved have reacted to the accusations so far, but King Charles was seen out and about several times since the documentary came out.
On Sunday 3 November 2024, the royal was seen attending a service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, which happens to be a part of his estate. He was photographed shaking hands with the priest, as well as smiling and waving to the public. The King attended the service alone, without his wife Camilla. The pair recently came back from an exciting 10-day tour of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Samoa.
Read more:
King Charles III: Here's why he has been exempted from paying property tax on $750 million estate
King Charles among the Sunday Times rich list with an estimated personal wealth of £610 million
King Charles and Queen Camilla's security detail in Sydney captured in photos
Sources used:
Daily Mail: King Charles seen for the first time since bombshell revelations about royal finances
Hello!: King Charles makes solo outing in Sandringham amid royal estate controversy
BBC News: Royal estates 'receive millions from public bodies and charities'
