According to reports, Prince William has been contemplating an ambitious plan for homeless persons to live in Duchy of Cornwall properties. He certainly has plenty of luxurious homes available to him to help his noble cause.
Although it is a good idea, the beneficiaries might not be expecting to be transported to Cornwall, where there are five-star homes and Cornwall, with stunning country views.
Staff have been asked by the Duke of Cambridge to study the possibility of housing the less fortunate in the Duchy properties. He will be the inheritor of the portfolio of 130,000 acres of Duchy property when his father is King.
The Prince of Wales’ income comes from the Duchy. It includes residential and commercial properties, as well as arable and livestock farms in 20 English and Welsh counties, including Prince Charles’ utopian town of Poundbury in Dorset.
There are quaint cottages and seaside homes (previously rented by the Middletons), as well as £314million of commercial property.
A large portion of the estate has been given to agriculture. This includes its 67,000-acres of Dartmoor. There are also 2,980 tenancy agreements. In south London, the Oval cricket field is also owned by The Duchy of Cornwall.
Prince William can have his dream project with plenty of space. The question is, however, what properties would he prefer to use?onvert?
Highgrove House is a nine-bedroom country home that Prince Charles bought in 1980. It was also loved by Princess Diana.
Luxury holiday cottages: Steeped in history and with interiors designed by the Duchess of Cornwall’s sister, Restormel Manor is the most luxurious holiday let in the Duchy of Cornwall’s Lostwithiel collection. The sitting room of the property is shown above
Modern apartment living: There is also Prince Charles’ ‘utopian’ town of Poundbury, in Dorset, which offers luxury accommodation like the one above in its Royal Pavilion development, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2025
There are also options for high-spec homes on the Isles of Scilly which have been a favorite destination of royal summer holidaymakers.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, who is patron of youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, has asked staff to explore how some of these buildings could be converted to provide accommodation to those in need.
According to the Daily Telegraph’s royal source, the idea is still in the investigative phase and would face ‘numerous logistical challenges’. However, the source added that the Duke was interested in helping to alleviate homelessness in whatever way possible.
This plan could have an effect on the household finances of the Duke and Duchess, as the Duchy is being sued to cover the official duties of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (currently Prince Charles) and his family.
Charles (73), who at 21 inherited the Duchy, uses the income for his retirement. His official duties and his London office.
He finances the Duchess of Cambridge’s public duties and some William and Kate private expenses. Before they resigned as senior royals, he did so for Prince Harry (and Meghan).
FEMAIL examines the Duchy’s property portfolio in order to determine which buildings may be up for grabs…
RECOVERY MANOR CORNWALL
Historic vacation rental: Restormel Manor in Cornwall is 500 years old and owned by the Duchy of Cornwall
You have plenty of room to celebrate! The property is made up three distinct wings.
You can escape to one of the nine rooms that are standard in a hotel, with five ensuite bedrooms.
Steeped in history and with interiors designed by the Duchess of Cornwall’s sister, Restormel Manor is the most luxurious holiday let in the Duchy of Cornwall’s Lostwithiel collection.
Kate and Wills both visited the property (albeit separately), and it is rumored that they also spent their first days together at these homes.
Strawberry Hill Gothic, a 500-year-old mansion in Strawberry Hill Gothic design, is the jewel of the crown. It can accommodate up to 18 people and consists of three wings.
Three sitting rooms and a dining area are included. There is also a kitchen, boot room, laundry room, cloak room, larder, and five double bedrooms. Four bedrooms have an en suite bathroom. Two bathrooms further down.
These three rooms are different in design, from the spacious Manor House sitting area with an open fire place to the casual Dairy House sitting space with its wood burner and comfy sofas.
Bedrooms are decorated with luxurious fabrics, and Egyptian cotton sheets cover the beds.
The manor also has access to private gardens that overlook the river.
HIGHGROVE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Royal history: Originally built in a Georgian Neoclassical style between 1796 and 1798, Highgrove has been home to The Prince since 1980. After marrying Diana, he purchased it right before buying it.
Pride and joy: Prince Charles takes great pride in his garden. He has hosted tours for various schools and charities since the beginning of the 1980s. Around 250 groups visit every year
Highgrove, originally constructed in Georgian Neoclassical Style between 1796-1798, has been the home of Prince Charles since 1980.
He bought it shortly before meeting Diana, and it became their country home after their marriage.
The heart of Gloucestershire is where Diana, Princess Of Wales and Prince William raised their children, Prince William, and Harry.
The famous photograph shows Harry and William, their sons, on the grounds with the house behind them.
Highgrove now serves as his private home, shared with the Duchess Cornwall. It is here that his grandchildren can play.
Prince Charles made many changes over the past 40 years to his house and gardens.
Although Camilla and Charles keep the interiors secret, the couple did give glimpses during video calls that were held under lockdown. The garden is Charles’s joy and pride.
The garden was bare when the Prince arrived at Highgrove. It had a neglected garden, a copse overgrown, pastureland, and some hollow oaks.
Highgrove gardens are now widely considered to be some of Britain’s most inspirational and creative gardens. They are also full of unique touches created by Prince Harry.
The garden includes a variety of spaces, from the playful yew topiary shaped like crowns to perfectly curated sight lines and symmetries between gates and doors, to vivid purple orchids and alliums at the cottage garden, to the lush green acres of wildflowers.
He also shows respect for the environment.
Highgrove’s wastewater is handled by a specially designed reed bed system. This system has been much enjoyed by dragonflies. For future generations, rare trees and plants will be grown. Heritage seeds are planted so that these species can continue to thrive.
This environmentally and ethically conscious attitude is continued to house management. Energy-saving lamps and solar lights are utilized where necessary, while all the kitchen scrap goes through the composting process.
ROYAL PAVILLION APARTMENT POUNDBURY
Prince Charles’s private utopia: There is also the option of a £2.5million luxury apartment in Prince Charles’s ‘Utopian’ designer village Poundbury. The Royal Pavilion is illustrated by a computer-generated image
Living in luxury: The showhome apartment has been opened and the computer-generated images offer a preview of the inside.
Pictured: One of the bedrooms inside an apartment in the Royal Pavilion, which has flats selling for up to £2.5million
Two-bed apartments in the Pavilion can cost as much as £875,000 and are being marketed by estate agents Symonds & Sampson. One of the luxurious flats features a gourmet kitchen.
Residents will have access to luxurious bathrooms in their flats, which are pictured above. The Pavilion residents will have the opportunity to access a 5-star day spa.
There is also the option of a £2.5million luxury apartment in Prince Charles’s ‘Utopian’ designer village Poundbury.
With the completion of this development in 2025, opulent penthouses, flats, and apartments are currently being constructed in Dorchester on Duchy of Cornwall Land. Many of these new homes are almost complete and photos show how cozy they feel inside.
There are 2,500 homes in the development, which can house approximately 5,000 people. The development will include 2,500 homes that are affordable and available for rent through the shared ownership scheme. This is available to people on waiting lists at Dorset County Council or surrounding borough councils.
According to some, the Royal Pavilion was the most impressive building built in Dorset. It can be found in Queen Mother Square. The name of the pavilion is after Prince Charles’ grandmother, who was a racehorse breeder.
Individually designed apartments with high ceilings, luxurious bathrooms, and top-of-the-line kitchens have been created.
Access to the five-star Monart spa is also available for residents of these apartments.
The Royal Pavilion is a landmark architectural structure designed by Ben Pentreath. It was created to look similar to a grand civic building.
You will find beautiful colonnades of stone, ornate ironwork and stunning terraces. The tower has an open arch at its bottom.
Prince Charles founded Poundbury to provide affordable and private housing, as well as boutique shops and businesses. There is also a medical centre and school within walking distance.
HOLIDAY COTTAGE ON SCILLY ISLES
Personal ties
Soaking up the sun: Tamarisk is surrounded by its own private gardens and enjoys a sun terrace complete with garden furniture, a barbecue and views over St Marys
This cottage is a seaside escape. It has four bedrooms, with Egyptian cotton bedding and comfortable beds. There are two bedrooms at the ground floor that have views of the ocean. A double bedroom on top with a super-king bed, and twin bedrooms.
The Isles of Scilly are a favourite vacation destination of Prince William.
The Duchy of Cornwall owns much of the land and one third of the homes, including the beautiful holiday cottage of Tamarisk.
Four bedrooms are available in the cottage, all with Egyptian cotton linen and comfortable beds. There are two bedrooms located on ground level with views of the sea. A double bedroom has a super-king size bed and one bedroom that is twin. The family bathroom can also be found at the bottom.
The first floor has a twin room with an ensuite shower and a master bedroom that boasts a super-king bed and large windows overlooking the sea.
A family bathroom on the ground floor has an overhead shower and a toilet. It also includes a wash basin, heated towel rail, and a WC. First floor twin en–suite features a shower, a toilet, wash basin, and heated towelrail. Master en-suite includes a tub, walk-in shower, double wash basin, and heated towel rack.
Tamarisk, which is enclosed by private gardens, has a sun terrace that offers views overlooking St Marys and garden furniture.
Tamarisk can be found on the historical Garrison. It is within 5 minutes walking distance to the Harbour, St Mary’s Quay, and Hugh Town amenities.
MENHENICK BANK CONVERSION CORNWALL
Quaint: Menhenick is a beautiful two-storey barn conversion offering views over an attractive landscaped courtyard at Loskeyle Farm, near St Tudy, in Cornwall
Country living: A bedroom in the cottage with cozy textiles and wood beams.
Menhenick is an elegant two-storey conversion of a barn that offers views across a lovely landscaped courtyard at Loskeyle Farm in Cornwall, close to St Tudy.
A spacious, open-plan dining and sitting area with views over the garden are part of this cottage’s layout. You will find here a TV, DVD player and DVDs as well as a stereo system, a book selection, and other board and card games.
A stylish, modern dining area is furnished with an electric stove with double oven and ceramic cooktop, along with a fridge freezer and modern cookware. The large island in the middle of the kitchen creates a relaxing setting for casual dinners and breakfasts.
Menhenick is home to three bedrooms. One bedroom has a twin bed, and the other has a queen-size bed. Each bed is comfortable and has Egyptian cotton linen.
Family bathroom includes a tub with an overhead shower, toilet and wash basin. There is a shower and wash basin in the en-suite bathroom.
Menhenick’s private, secure garden includes a paved terrace and barbecue. Loskeyle’s extensive grounds also include an apple orchard as well as a children’s playground.