The “duchy” has raked in more than £60 million in such funds over the last decade, which it has claimed was being donated to charity. But “internal duchy documents” (yes, this is a real thing) show that much of the funds are actually being used to renovate the king’s real-estate holdings, some of which are then rented out for his own profit

Apparently, Queen Elizabeth II approved using these bona vacantia funds for upgrades in 1987 and again in 2019. Such renovations include double-glazed windows (nice!), log burners, and new roofs. In one case, an old farmhouse was renovated partially using these so-called bona vacantia funds, only to be rented out as a four-bedroom home for £1,450 per month.

The feudal-era practice was signed into law by the Parliament in 1925 but, as The Guardian reports, “why this was done is not known.” Meanwhile, it has helped King Charles, a landlord, amass a private fortune that is estimated to be worth £1.8 billion.

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[–] Tachanka@hexbear.net 21 points 2 years ago (3 children)

apparently the Brtish royals are trying to regain lost power

Legislation effectively outlawing protests.
Arrests of people attempting to raise republican placards on the 6th of May.
His Majesty's Ministers overruling Parliament in introducing the above.
Future move to digital currency asserts Crown power against the old bourgeois financial order.
Partial restoration of the Crown Estate to the person of the Monarch
The Royal family is entitled to 25% of the revenue of the Crown Estate; Basically publicly owned land and mineral rights.
This is a huge retrogression even from the early days of bourgeois power.
In 1793 the Crown had given up the estate to the treasury in return for a Civil List grant.
The Cameron gov. reversed this by handing 25% back to the monarchy.
The King receives an annual income (in kind) of about 209 million pounds.
The King controls, uses, or derives revenue from around 9.6 billion in assets.
The king's top 9 palaces are worth about 3.5billion pounds, for which he and his family pay no rent, and all of which is maintained at the public's expense.
The King receives from the public, in exchange for nothing, as much as 8,500 average subjects earn per year.
The tourism that the monarchy supposedly brings in to the UK is maintained by the working class and still brings in less revenue than the tourism in Republican France.

ukkk

[–] silent_water@hexbear.net 11 points 2 years ago

well, yeah. like any reform, it lasts until the political will to keep it intact remains. given the right circumstances, he'll dissolve parliament too.

[–] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 1 points 2 years ago

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

[–] Teekeeus@hexbear.net 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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