Change at the top for the Duchy

CORNWALL will see a new Duke and Duchess as William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have had their titles enlarged to include Cornwall.

The change in roles, in recognition of Prince William’s move to become next in line to the throne, was officially confirmed on the death of the Queen.

A statement read: “Kensington Palace has confirmed that Kate and William will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.”

Both the Duke and Duchesses’ social media channels already reflect their extended roles. With the social media channels having already been renamed.

Prince William has undergone preparations to take over the Duchy, which includes farms, woodland and large tracts of Dartmoor, as well as land in London, including the Oval Cricket ground. He has attended regular meetings with Duchy officials in recent years, to learn more about the estate, which has been transformed by his father into a productive and sustainable rural enterprise in line with King Charles’ environmental concerns.

According to the Duchy’s 1337 charter, the Duke of Cornwall is always the heir to the throne – the eldest surviving son of the King or Queen.

The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established by Edward III in 1337 to provide independent income to his son and heir to the throne, Prince Edward. The Duchy owns 7,571 hectares of land in Cornwall and the estate is worth approximately £1 billion.

In recognition of Cornwall’s strong links to the royal family, through the Duchy, there were heartfelt tributes to the Queen yesterday and words of sympathy to the former Duke of Cornwall and his successor, Prince William.

Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall, said: “There are no words that can express the profound loss this country feels with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She has been a huge figure in all our lives during seventy years of dedicated service. My deepest condolences to the Royal Family. God Save the King.”

King Charles has been a regular visitor to Cornwall in his role as Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Wales. He has attended the Royal Cornwall Show on a number of occasions, most recently this year as the show re-started after a three year break because of coronavirus.

He is expected to retain many of the strong links he has forged in Cornwall and Devon through his long years running the Duchy and to return regularly as King with Camilla, Queen Consort.