King Charles III is benefiting from the inheritance of thousands of people in northwest England, according to a report in a British newspaper. Typically, real estate, money and other assets go to the State in cases where people die without a will or heirs.
However, in the historic duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which are traditionally privately owned by the Crown, managers of royal estates are granted “bona vacantia”, which means abandoned goods. The Guardian recently wrote that this revenue would also be used to renovate and rent properties in the Duchy of Lancaster, which is personally owned by the king.
After the publication of the article, the Lancaster administration announced that it would invest more than 100 million pounds (currently 115.18 million euros) in investment funds that also focus on ethical aspects.
The anti-monarchy organization República spoke of an “admission of unethical investments”. At the same time, the Republic criticized: “But they will still invest money that will be taken from the dead and spent as Charles wishes.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called the “bona vacantia” government in the Duchy of Lancaster “a bizarre remnant of feudal Britain”. His Liverpool City colleague Steve Rotheram called for clarification and transparency.