In the United Kingdom, speculation about the future of the monarchy has intensified in recent months, especially around the possibility of Prince William ascending the throne sooner than expected.
Recent health difficulties facing King Charles III and Queen consort Camilla have brought the future of the crown to the forefront.
While Charles continues to undergo cancer treatment and Camilla has struggled with respiratory infections, the British press is beginning to imagine what Prince William’s role will be like when he takes the reins of the country.
Prince George’s Inheritance
This situation also opens the door to another important issue: the future of Prince George, the eldest son of William and Kate, who will inherit important titles and properties when this change in the monarchy becomes effective.
As the first-born son of the future monarch, George would become the new Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, two historic titles that would not only give him great prestige, but also enormous responsibility, being the owner of a real estate patrimony valued in billions of dollars.
The Duchy of Cornwall, one of the main properties inherited by Prince George, has an estimated value of almost 1.4 billion dollars and is one of the largest real estate empires in the United Kingdom.
This extensive territory extends over 23 counties in England and Wales and includes such emblematic properties as the Oval Cricket Ground and vast grounds of Dartmoor.
In turn, the Duchy owns more than 270 historic monuments, as well as significant investments in urban areas such as Poundbury, an experimental development project in Dorchester, and commercial properties that provide a steady source of income.
Beyond real estate, the Duchy also includes agricultural land, forests, nurseries and natural resources such as rivers and estuaries.
These lands generate considerable income each year, totaling more than $22 million annually, from activities as diverse as running schools, charging for the use of bridges, or exploiting natural resources on the land.
Members of the royal family, including Prince William, also manage the ‘Crown Estate’, a collection of land and businesses that provides the monarchy with an additional source of income.
For Prince George, receiving the Duchy of Cornwall will be more than just a title. It will be an opportunity to bolster his fortune, as the inherited properties and resources will not only increase his personal wealth, but will position him as one of the largest landowners in the United Kingdom.