According to a new report, the Prince of Wales has made a profit by renting HMP Dartmoor through the Duchy of Cornwall, which he manages
© Getty Images
The Prince of Wales oversees a number of properties in his role as the owner and manager of the Duchy of Cornwall, but the least expected of the lot is HMP Dartmoor. According to a new report, Prince William, 43, has received millions of pounds of public money from the abandoned prison that was closed due to toxic gas levels.
The Sunday Times reported on 11 April that the Duchy of Cornwall owns the prison and has leased it to the Ministry of Justice for £1.5 million per year since December 2023. This would mean that over the past 20 months, the lease has generated at least £2.5 million in income.
Inside the unused prison
© Getty Images
A view of HMP Dartmoor taken in 2010
However, the prison in Devon has been unused since July 2024 after high levels of radon, a naturally occurring toxic gas that has been linked to lung cancer, were recorded in the prisoners’ accommodation.
© Getty Images
Upon his accession to the throne, Charles handed the Duchy of Cornwall over to William
The category-C facility (which is designed for adult male prisoners who are unlikely to attempt escape but cannot be trusted in open conditions) is one of 42 prisons and probation sites in the UK with high radon levels.
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Inside grandest royal homes
The Duchy of Cornwall’s rental income
The Duchy of Cornwall refused to confirm how much tax William had paid on the lease income, stating: “The lease of HMP Dartmoor reflects long-standing arrangements governing the site and was negotiated on a standard commercial basis with both parties taking independent advice. We remain in regular contact with the Ministry of Justice, as it determines the future of the prison.”
© Getty
Prince William at Dartmoor National Park in June 2025
It added: “We have been actively engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Justice since the closure to find a fair and sustainable solution to this issue as soon as possible.”
The newspaper reported that since the site was left empty, it has become infested with rats, birds, bats, and insects. This came after windows were left open to increase ventilation, as stated in a prison report.
What is the Duchy of Cornwall?
The Duchy of Cornwall is an estate that was established by King Edward III in 1337 to provide an income for the heir to the throne. As the current heir, Prince William also takes the title of the Duke of Cornwall and oversees the estate as well as taking a personal income from it.
© Getty Images
The Duchy of Cornwall offers William a private income
According to the Royal Family website, the Duchy currently provides an annual income of £21 million, which “The Prince uses to support himself, his children and their families as well as his philanthropic work, which raises over £100 million annually for a variety of good causes. The Prince voluntarily pays income tax on all revenue from the estate”.
News
MOST PEOPLE MISSED WILLIAM’S QUIET ANNOUNCEMENT! — A subtle move by Prince William has reportedly sent shockwaves through royal circles, with insiders now warning it could spell major trouble for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s long-term future within the monarchy narrative.
Often characterised as ‘work-shy’ and reluctant to undertake the vast number of engagements carried out by members of the Royal Family decades…
“YOU’RE A NASTY B…!” — One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been caught on a hot mic allegedly making a rude remark about a female journalist after a tense and heated exchange during a press conference.
Pauline Hanson has been caught on a hot mic making a rude remark about a journalist following a tense exchange…
A leading investigator in the case said the children had been treated as ‘commodities for the gratification of heartless predators’ – but praised the bravery of the survivors in coming forward to report the horrors they had endured.
A leading investigator in the case said the children had been treated as ‘commodities for the gratification of heartless predators’…
MY DAUGHTER WAS BRUTALLY BEATEN…!— Eleven Australians detained by Israel are now expected to be flown out of the country following growing international outrage over their treatment, as the father of one 26-year-old activist claims his daughter was physically a-l:e in custody.
A group of Australians detained by Israel while trying to deliver aid to Gaza are set to be released and deported in the next…
HE MIGHT BE IN DANGER..! – Chilling details have emerged after police discovered a pair of shoes believed to belong to missing man Taylor, who was last seen on 8 May near a Tesco in the Seven Brethren area.
Detectives say a large-scale police investigation is continuing as part of efforts to find a missing Devon teenager. Devon and…
THEY SAY THEY HAVEN’T RECEIVED A SINGLE CENT…! — The grieving family of Kumanjayi Little Baby say they are still broke and homeless despite thousands of dollars reportedly being donated by compassionate strangers following the heartbreaking tragedy.
It has been almost a month since their little girl was allegedly snatched from her bed in the dead of…
End of content
No more pages to load
