Prince William, as heir to the throne, has recently begun assuming his new role as head of the Duchy of Cornwall. This is an important shift in fortune after King Charles rose to the throne in 2022. Like the 25th Duke of Cornwall, Prince William oversees an estate that covers more than 128,000 acres spread over 20 counties. As a chartered land manager, he brings a new vision to the Duchy role, looking to modernize the Duchy’s operations while remaining faithful to its traditions and values.
We know that Prince William is committed to putting people before profit. His aim is to permeate the Duchy with a cantankerous compact. He envisions the estate as a family-oriented entity, emphasizing the need for initiatives that benefit both residents and the environment. One of his initial projects includes a housing scheme in Cornwall designed to provide supported accommodation for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
Prince William has earned a reputation for going green. These initiatives range from reforestation to peatland restoration, and they speak to his vision of building a more sustainable future for the Duchy.
The new motto for the estate, “Positive impact for people, places and planet,” encapsulates his forward-thinking approach.
We’ll be able to do a hell of a lot of good in the rural world.” – Prince William. He focused on what drives him to make an impact.
Each quarter, Prince William tours different sections of the Duchy, meeting with tenants in confidential settings. This boots-on-the-ground approach, he argues, is the only way to really get an idea of their needs, aspirations. Under the Duchy’s new chief executive, Will Bax, that’s changed. Bax says his style is inspired by “healthy impatience.” This unique attribute makes him distinctive and fuels his fierce pursuit.
Prince William seems well aware of the challenges that lie ahead in the new role he has taken on. Reflecting on his responsibilities, he remarked, “I questioned whether I could do just that when I took over, and got a lot of sweaty faces looking back at me.”
