Ch4 Dispatches tonight about Royals making money

Tourism wasn’t mentioned, the programme was simply about how much the king and his son are getting from rentals and charges relating to the seas, much land and properties they own but do not maintain. From cottages, charities, schools, fire services even rental for a pipe removing sewage.
Suggest you all watch it for yourselves. . I was shocked after all their talk about homelessness, William, and the planet, Charles.

I hope they feel more than a bit uncomfortable this morning.

Quite a few people who have commented on this thread have mentioned tourism.

It was not said in the OP or posts which follow

Anniebach

I didn’t see the programme, was it said that people come here
to see the royal family?

It's an argument which is always raised whenever anyone dares to criticise the royal family - 'oh, but think of the tourists'!

Thank you Calendargirl I will try to watch it

No Anniebach, it was all about the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster really.

Worth watching on catch up if you’re able to.

I didn’t see the programme, was it said that people come here
to see the royal family?

It's just republican click-bait.

Now we need a programme which includes the truth including how much the Government is involved in these Duchies.

I didn't see the programme, so don't feel able to comment on the findings, but I do agree that the idea of the monarchy bringing much revenue to GB is a little overblown.
I have paid to visit the Palace of Versailles, and the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.
Both of these societies have- ahem- removed the royal incumbents of these places, whilst still enjoying the visitor cash raised.

I’m sure it was GrannyGravy.

But you do wonder if certain rents and such could be treated more favourably when they are for the common good, i.e. fire stations, schools, cancer charities etc.

I think the programme was one sided with a definite anti monarchy stance.

I am shocked, horrified, and disappointed. My own fault for being silly and sentimental about the King and the Prince . Those two men abide by medieval feudal system that permits them to do it.

I am not a lawyer and don't know if King Charles and Prince William are helpless to act with generosity and fairness even of they so wished. I only know that I'd rather have Good King Wenceslaus than a British king . Ashamed of our monarchy.

It is hard to think of nice King Charles as rapacious. Can a man be a common money grabber in one area and far-sighted and gentle in other areas?

I don't like it but it's hardly news.

The whole idea that people visit the UK because of royalty is a misnomer, no tourist comes here and actually meets the royals, they see the trappings of royalty which will always exist as part of our heritage.

Just ask those countries why they all watch Royal occasions on TV. How popular are Presidents and Prime Ministers?

Grandmabatty

Allsorts France don't have a monarchy but seem to bring in plenty of tourist revenue, as does Germany.

Exactly - how many people from the UK go on holiday to other countries because they have a monarchy, for instance? And it's not a question of monarchy or dictatorship either - there are other forms of government.

Allsorts France don't have a monarchy but seem to bring in plenty of tourist revenue, as does Germany.

I agree CalendarGirl, and am not directly casting blame at Charles or William but more the whole Institution that hasn’t made their lives any easier I’m sure. And I imagine that both Duchy’s are managed by an administrative team who only ask the royals to sign certain documents.
But certainly taxes should be paid in order to send the right messages out to those of us who pay taxes and are struggling with our bills. Otherwise it becomes a ‘them’ and ‘us’ scenario.
There definitely needs to be transparency when is the tax payers money.

I’m a Royalist, but found the programme unsettling.

Perhaps the time is ripe for a complete, open review of issues such as this. I listened to what Margaret Hodge said and thought much of it made sense.

Should the King and Prince Of Wales (or their estates) be paying corporation and capital gains tax just like so many of their ‘subjects’?

And some of the rental properties on the Duchy land looked in dire need of repair and upgrade.

Lots to improve on in both Charles’ and William’s new roles.

Andrews funding has now been cut off. It remains to be seen how long he can afford to stay at Royal Lodge.

There are no cousins of the king living in grace and favour
houses, there are 2 cousins of the late. Queen who do but they
were and to a lesser extent now because of their ages working members of the royal family. Anne and Edward have their own
properties.. it would be difficult to turn Andrew out of Windsor, high risk of kidnapping and/ or murder.

It brings so much revenue into our country. Rather our Monachy than a dictatorship. I do think they should pay tax and evict Andrew, and hangers on. Why should these cousins who do nothing have grace and favour homes, let them get a job or live off their inheritances., they should not have all these Royal castles and residencies. It's enough having, the King, his immediate heirs, just the hardworking ones.

Jaxjacky

I’ll be watching The Cure on BBC2 far more entertaining.

Thanks. I knew one of the channels was featuring them but I couldn’t remember which one and when!

They actually are taxed TWICE. The revenues from the royal estates go to the government, and then the civil list is deducted from this. (Tax one.) They then pay tax on what they receive from the civil list. (Tax two.)

I just wish I had more faith in Prince William and his ideals.

It’s all very well pledging to end homelessness and save the environment but first and foremost he must turn his attentions to improving the living conditions of his tenants in the Duchy.

He has been Duke of Cornwall for two years now. Actions speak louder than words.