The Prince of Wales has decided to stop personally benefiting from the £1.5 million annual rent generated by the closed Dartmoor Prison in Devon. Prince William requested that this sum be deducted from his Duchy of Cornwall income from 2026-27 onwards, with the funds redirected to support the local Princetown community.
Background and Financial Details
William's private income from the Duchy of Cornwall amounted to £21.6 million in 2025-26, according to the most recent Duchy accounts. He also disclosed his tax bill of £7.76 million for the first time. A Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation in 2024 revealed that the duchy had signed a £37 million contract in 2022 to lease Dartmoor Prison to the Ministry of Justice, paying £1.5 million annually over 25 years. An agreement with the Ministry of Defence also permits armed forces training on Dartmoor land.
The category C prison, which opened in 1809, has been vacant since July 2024 after high levels of radon—a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer—were detected in prisoners' lodgings.
Community Regeneration Fund
A community-led regeneration fund will be launched next year to provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to Princetown, the remote rural community adjacent to the prison. Prince William's private secretary, Ian Patrick, said: "Prince William knows that for many people in Princetown, the prison has long been part of the fabric of the community. Its closure has created genuine uncertainty, not just about jobs and businesses, but about the future of the town itself. The duke felt strongly that, while those questions remain unanswered, the benefit of this income should remain in the community, helping local people shape that future."
Transparency and Tax Arrangements
As heir to the throne, William is entitled to the annual earnings from the billion-pound Duchy landed estate, which spans 51,800 hectares across 19 counties. He became the 25th Duke of Cornwall nearly four years ago. William chose to disclose his tax return personally to promote enhanced transparency, coinciding with King Charles revealing his tax return for the first time as sovereign. William pays income tax voluntarily at the top rate on any net surplus after official expenditure is deducted.
The Duchy earnings support the charitable, private, and part of the official lives of William, the Princess of Wales, and their children. William settled a £7.76 million tax bill for 2024-25 in income and capital gains tax, and paid £8.34 million in 2023-24, contributing over £20 million in tax since becoming Prince of Wales.
Staff and Diversity Figures
Kensington Palace revealed that the number of staff employed by the couple's household has increased to 74, up from 68. Diversity figures show that 14.9% of staff come from an ethnic minority background, up from 13.2% the previous year. Additionally, 73% of Kensington Palace staff are female, with 27% male.
