Firs Joint Visit To Cornwall Since Becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall

William and Catherine, apart from being the Prince and Princess of Wales, are also known as the duke and Duchess of Cornwall. On February 9, 2023, the couple made their first joint visit to Cornwall since taking on their new roles.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall spent in the duchy learning about the county’s heritage and community projects. Their first stop was at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth to mark its 20th year.

The new Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited their duchy

During the visit they learned about Cornwall’s maritime heritage, they also spent time in the museum’s workshop where local residents worked on the refurbishment of a sailing dinghy.

This sailing dinghy was presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Duke of Edinburgh, as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1947.

Prince William, as heir to the throne and Duke of Cornwall, has inherited millions of pounds in funding from the Duchy of Cornwall estate.

Prince William is the 25th Duke of Cornwall since the first Duke of Cornwall, Prince Edward, also known as the Black Prince (but he did not become king as he died during the Hundred Years of War). His father, now King Charles III, was the longest-serving Duke of Cornwall, holding the title for seven decades.

During King Charles III's tenure, the duchy became profitable and was managed according to his environmental principles.

Duke and Duchess of Cornwall tried pingpong

The income of the Duchy of Cornwall is the primary source of income of Prince William, funding his activities - public or personal, including members of his direct family - his wife and their children.

Despite being called the Duchy of Cornwall, the Duchy estate actually covers more than 50,000 hectares of land across 20 counties, its expansive portfolio includes Highgrove estate, the private residence of King Charles III, who is now obliged to pay rent to his son. 

The Duke of Cornwall collects all the net profits from the estate which have amounted to around £20 million per year. This money is not generally considered to be public money in the way that the Sovereign Grant is. However, anti-monarchists have made the point that if there was no Duke of Cornwall, the money would make its way into the public purse.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall walkabout in Cornwall

Prince William made a solo visit to Cornwall in November 2022, in recognition of his new position. He has spent the past few years learning about the Duchy as he grew closer to taking it on. 

Prince William spent time studying agriculture and land management while still single in preparation for his role as Duke of Cornwall. He is also very vocal in saying that his role models towards nature conservation and organic farming are his father, King Charles III, and his grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Princess of Wales who is also the new Duchess of Cornwall wearing this stunning winter ensemble 

Catherine, the Princess of Wales winter fashion

For her attire during the visit, the Duchess of Cornwall appeared wintery in her clothing style, wearing a Celeste coat dress in chestnut color from Hobbs London, a cashmere polo neck jumper in Bordeaux from Kiltane with a burgundy pleated midi skirt ensemble from Edeline Lee. She completed her winter fashion with a pair of bespoke brown suede boots from Gianvito Rossi.