Campaigners are voicing their outrage as it has come to light that King Charles’s private estate is making substantial rental profits from an NHS Trust struggling with financial constraints and impending job cuts.
The revelation has sparked calls for the government to reevaluate the monarchy’s financial arrangements after it was disclosed that the King and Prince William’s private estates charge public bodies millions of pounds in rent.
An investigation uncovered that the King’s Duchy of Lancaster estate has struck a deal with Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Trust to store electric ambulances, costing the trust a staggering £11.4 million over 15 years.
This situation arises as the NHS Trust in London prepares to implement significant job cuts, eliminating 58 per cent of positions within its facilities and capital development team.
The Unite union has warned of potential strikes in response to plans that would reduce the team responsible for transport and construction projects from 154 roles to just 64.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, condemned the hospital’s actions, stating that it has been ” acting disgracefully towards its workers who are vital to keep its hospitals functioning.”
The investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches and the Sunday Times revealed that the NHS trust is currently paying £830,000 per year to the King’s Duchy for storage space, highlighting the disparity between public funding needs and royal revenue.
According to reports, the rental agreement shows a staggering 67 per cent increase over the £15 per square foot rate previously paid by the Metropolitan Police, the former tenant of the Duchy’s warehouse. The Duchy of Cornwall, meanwhile, is also set to earn approximately £600,000 over the duration of six leases with state schools.
In addition, the Duchy is reportedly engaged in a £37 million deal to lease Dartmoor Prison to the Ministry of Justice, as well as agreements with the Ministry of Defence to permit Armed Forces training on its land.
The investigation further revealed that Prince William’s estate charged the Navy over £900,000 for the construction and use of jetties for mooring warships along the Cornish coastline.
Labour peer Margaret Hodge emphasized the need for an immediate halt to rent charges on the NHS, schools, and other public entities.
She described the situation as “awful” and advocated for a comprehensive government review of the monarchy’s finances to ensure transparency regarding tax positions and funding amounts.
Former minister Norman Baker expressed his disgust, stating that it is unacceptable for the Duchies to profit from the NHS and educational institutions in their time of financial need.
He criticized the escalating rents charged to the NHS Trust as an example of “naked greed,” calling for an end to these public charges and a reevaluation of the Duchies’ privileged tax status.
The Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall encompass a portfolio of land, property, and assets held in trust for the King and Prince William, respectively.
Both estates are exempt from corporation tax and capital gains tax, and while neither the King nor the Prince of Wales is legally required to pay income tax, both have voluntarily offered to do so.
Income generated from these Duchies is separate from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, which supports the monarch’s official duties.
Dr. Tony O’Sullivan, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, labelled it an “obvious conflict of interest” for the Royal Family to earn millions from the NHS, stressing that public services should not be expected to pay market rates for rent.
A spokesperson for NHS Million, a grassroots campaign driven by NHS staff, stated, “Whatever your views on the royal family, we can surely all agree that they shouldn’t be profiting from our NHS.”
Land reform campaigner Guy Shrubsole expressed concern that the lack of affordable rent agreements for the NHS and schools would undoubtedly shock and anger the public.
In response, a spokesperson for the Duchy of Lancaster affirmed that it is “self-financing and does not receive any public funds in connection with its activities,” noting that it publishes annual reports that are independently audited and accessible online.
A representative from the Duchy of Cornwall stated that Prince William is committed to “an expansive transformation” of the Duchy, including a significant investment aimed at making the estate net zero by 2032 and addressing local issues such as mental health support and homelessness.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust refrained from discussing the rental deal with the King’s estate, indicating that they are still in consultation regarding the proposed job cuts.
“We are committed to working in partnership with our trade unions, and will address any issues raised with us through the appropriate channels.” the spokesperson added.
