The Times investigation on royal income, properties and taxes

[Queen of Sorrow]

It seems that certain juicy topics, that remained relatively unmentioned when EII was still the queen, are eventually be discussed now.
Enormous income from Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster that remains untaxed is such a topic and the newspaper that organized a journalist investigation on that is (surprise, surprise) the Times:

https://www.thetimes.com/...-prince-william-27lkftd2n


Going to get some popcorn.

[Celia]

The topic comes up every few years.  I think one difference is that William hasn't publicized how much tax he pays on his Cornwall income.  Charles usually did (25% when he was married, more when he was single).

[Queen of Sorrow]

Indeed. I think that the most unpleasant element this time is that Charles and William are making millions of pounds a year by charging the army, the navy, the NHS, the prison service and state schools to use their land, rivers and seashores. Greed is bad, but greedy hypocrite is even worse 

[anneboleyn]

I need to do more research on this because I agree - at first glance, the royal family comes across very poorly. But I might easily be missing something.

[Oh_Caroline]

Important to remember that HLM only passed two years ago.  The majority of the issues feel during the tenure of the previous title holders.  Not that William’s failure to release a report has done him any favors. 

Regardless the family doesn’t come off well.

[Ghost]

The “investigation” is so poor it makes me laugh. All these are facts that had been known since forever. Wait for them to find out about the swans!

Charles was not paying taxes until the nineties. He was reversing his revenue to the Duchy, 75% when he was single, 25% afterwards.

It’s not like C and W are literally lining their pockets, the duchies are businesses. They DO have a splendid income from them.

[periwinkle]

Land and property have been intertwined for more than a thousand years. I agree with your assessment Ghost. They are paying taxes now which makes things much better. Charles has been a model landowner and William needs to publish annual reports for transparency's sake. Otherwise Brits really need a better education about how their society is structured.

[anneboleyn]

It’s not like C and W are literally lining their pockets, the duchies are businesses. They DO have a splendid income from them.

Imagine inheriting such lucrative businesses, simply because of your birth order. That's wild to me.

[ralf103]

Well this is very much trying to whip up a drama out of already well known facts.

My understanding is that in a number of cases the MOD,  NHS etc has chosen to enter commercial deals with the Duchies rather than take their business elsewhere. E.g. if the MoD doesn't want to pay to use Dartmoor for training it is free to try and find another landowner who will allow them to shoot, march and roam on thousands of acres for free.

IMO the real "new" issues are William not releasing a report like his father - listing the bare essentials such as tax paid - and the apparent state of some properties both Duchies let out. Given that both do make a profit of £20million+ each they can well afford to ensure their properties are a fit state and as energy efficient as possible (especially given both Duke's green credentials)

[getafix]

Well this is very much trying to whip up a drama out of already well known facts.

My understanding is that in a number of cases the MOD,  NHS etc has chosen to enter commercial deals with the Duchies rather than take their business elsewhere. E.g. if the MoD doesn't want to pay to use Dartmoor for training it is free to try and find another landowner who will allow them to shoot, march and roam on thousands of acres for free.

IMO the real "new" issues are William not releasing a report like his father - listing the bare essentials such as tax paid - and the apparent state of some properties both Duchies let out. Given that both do make a profit of £20million+ each they can well afford to ensure their properties are a fit state and as energy efficient as possible (especially given both Duke's green credentials)

if both dutchies bring in nice sum to their owners, then why do chucky and billy need to be funded by the taxpayers yearly grant?

can't they keep their life-style from these incomes alone minus the governtment giving them $?

G

[Ghost]

It’s not like C and W are literally lining their pockets, the duchies are businesses. They DO have a splendid income from them.

Imagine inheriting such lucrative businesses, simply because of your birth order. That's wild to me.

Most businesses that are privately owned are like that? I don’t know, the duchy of Westminster?

[getafix]

It’s not like C and W are literally lining their pockets, the duchies are businesses. They DO have a splendid income from them.

Imagine inheriting such lucrative businesses, simply because of your birth order. That's wild to me.

Most businesses that are privately owned are like that? I don’t know, the duchy of Westminster?

yes...buyt the DoW does not also get tax payer's money as their upkeep.

DoW is totally self sufficient.

so much so that they could only afford a plain wooden board for ther recent nuptials  for the bride to walk on

G

[Ghost]

It’s not like C and W are literally lining their pockets, the duchies are businesses. They DO have a splendid income from them.

Imagine inheriting such lucrative businesses, simply because of your birth order. That's wild to me.

Most businesses that are privately owned are like that? I don’t know, the duchy of Westminster?

yes...buyt the DoW does not also get tax payer's money as their upkeep.

DoW is totally self sufficient.

so much so that they could only afford a plain wooden board for ther recent nuptials  for the bride to walk on

G

On one had, the Westminster has no job to represent the country, so of course he has no taxpayer money. On the other hand, all the taxpayer money that the monarchy gets is strictly controlled and transparent. Lastly, ALL heads of states are on the taxpayer’s money roll, be them originally rich or poor. Strangely, not few presidents get out of presidency much richer than they were when getting into office. AND they get perks for life. USA has hpw many livong former presidents? They all get security and a beautiful pension.

What this “investigation” does is diverting attention from the new budget. And stirring the pot. There’s already a farmer who took his life beacause of the inheritance tax on farmland that the new budget imposes.

[Celia]

The Crown Estate (which is the source of the Sovereign Grant) funds the government.  The monarch is part of the government.  When he is doing governmental work, he should be funded by the government.