Royals in firing line over duchies

THE personal estate of the reigning monarch since 1399, the 18,000-hectare Duchy of Lancaster takes in commercial, agricultural and residential properties mostly in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Lincolnshire.

- By ROB PARSONS

King Charles receives an annual private income from the Duchy of Lancaster landed estate of £27m, separate from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, while the Prince of Wales is entitled to more than £23m a year from the Duchy of Cornwall.

This week, anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, which backs an elected head of state, is urging the Government to abolish the ancient duchy portfolios and pass all revenue and assets to a new national estate to support local communities.

Republic proposes Charles, while he is head of state, 'should receive a salary.

The campaign group suggests this could be 110% of the Prime Minister's salary a drop from £27m a year to about £190,000. But it adds: "William has no official role and needs no salary from the state."