King Charles was once again moved to tears by a decision made by his son William, this time following Catherine’s incredible recovery. In the past two years, both the Monarch and his eldest son have experienced significant shifts in their roles within the royal family. Following the passing of the queen in September 2022, Charles ascended to the throne as king, while William assumed the title of Prince of Wales. When William became the heir apparent, he also inherited the title of Prince of Cornwall and took on the responsibility of managing the extensive Duchy of Cornwall estate. King Charles had previously overseen the estate for over half a century during his tenure as Prince of Wales and was deeply invested in its success.
In an ITV documentary titled “Prince Charles: Inside the Duchy of Cornwall,” King Charles opened up in a way he never had before. He shared how a remark from his son William about the estate had a profound emotional impact on him. In the documentary clip, William was seen speaking with a farmer named Kevin Keegan about the estate. Reflecting on his future role, William said, “I’ve started to think about how I will inherit the Duchy one day and what I do with it. I think it’s really important the family angle, I really do.” Charles later shared his feelings about this conversation, saying, “When I saw it, I couldn’t believe it. I was deeply touched and moved by what he said, frankly.
It reduced me to tears, it did really, because I suddenly thought, well, just hearing that from him has made the last 50 years worthwhile.” Since assuming the role of Prince of Cornwall, William has taken on full responsibility for the Duchy and is beginning to leave his own imprint on it. Earlier this year, he announced plans to develop homes on Duchy of Cornwall land to address homelessness in the southwest of England. Collaborating with the Cornish homelessness charity St. Petroc’s, the project aims to provide 24 homes in Nansledan along with comprehensive support services for those experiencing homelessness.
Construction of the high-quality temporary accommodation that feels like home is set to commence in September, with the first homes expected to be ready by the following autumn. According to a statement from the estate, the Duchy of Cornwall, valued at over £1 billion, comprises a diverse portfolio of land, property, and investments that generate income for the heir to the throne. In a recent newspaper interview, William confirmed plans to develop affordable housing on his Duchy of Cornwall land, stating,
“There is absolutely social housing, you’ll see that when it’s ready.” Looking ahead, King Charles and Prince William are expected to continue working closely together to uphold the traditions of the royal family while also embracing new challenges and opportunities. With William’s growing influence and Charles’s guidance as king, the future looks promising for the British Monarchy.