Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, has taken on greater responsibilities since ascending to the role in 2022. Not only does he manage the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast land and property empire that has been passed down through generations to the heir of the throne, but he also maintains a demanding travel schedule that keeps him away from his family every few weeks.
According to an interview with The Telegraph, William makes secret trips “every four to six weeks” to visit various parts of the Duchy. These visits are typically kept private and rarely make it into official records like the Court Circular. On these visits, William travels to farms and offices, where he meets with families and staff, listens to their concerns, and offers assistance. The Prince’s efforts to remain engaged with his Duchy are highly regarded by local communities, who keep these visits under wraps out of respect for royal privacy.
The Duchy of Cornwall covers a vast area of land, totaling 128,494 acres across 20 counties, primarily located in south-western England. This sprawling estate is the Prince’s primary source of income. In one of his recent public appearances, William visited young farmers at Folly Farm in Somerset, where he was joined by the stars of Clarkson’s Farm.
As part of his mission to modernize the Duchy, William is focused on integrating “social impact” into its operations. His work includes supporting charitable initiatives such as We Are Farming Minds, a charity that addresses mental health and isolation issues among farmers. Additionally, William maintains regular communication with Duchy staff via WhatsApp and even records and sends video messages for various events related to the Duchy, including a recent river conservation meeting and a charity boxing night.
The Duchy of Cornwall is one of the oldest and largest land estates in Britain, established in 1337 by Edward III to support his son, Prince Edward. Last year, William’s personal income from the Duchy was reported to be over £23 million, which funds not just his public and private duties but also those of his wife, Kate, and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, it is important to note that this income does not cover travel expenses, and William pays taxes on his Duchy earnings, though the exact figure has not been disclosed.
