The pretty British Isles belonging to Prince William | United Kingdom | News
As Duke of Cornwall, Prince William owns large tracts of land in the United Kingdom.
The prince took over the Duchy of Cornwall in September 2022, following the death of his grandmother and his father’s ascension to the British throne.
The duchy covers approximately 52,449 hectares of land spread across 20 counties, mainly in the southwest of England.
It was established by Edward III in 1337 and the income from the estate passed to Prince William, who used it to finance his family, charitable and private activities.
The area includes a popular tourist destination that attracts approximately 125,000 people during the summer season.
The Isles of Scilly have been part of the Duchy of Cornwall since its beginnings in the 14th century.
The archipelago is made up of more than 200 islands and rocks located 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall.
Today, the Duchy owns most of the land and almost a third of the residential buildings on the islands.
The islands are covered with moors and bordered by fine sandy beaches like the Grande Baie de Saint-Martin.
Saint Martin’s is just one of five habitable islands, the others being Saint Mary’s, Saint Agnes, Tresco and Bryher.
The wild natural beauty and secluded beaches are a big attraction for visitors.
In 1975, the Isles of Scilly were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The islands have a thriving floriculture industry, dating back to the 1860s.
They are still famous for producing fragrant daffodil flowers, which thrive in narrow fields and mild climate.
Tourism is the largest industry – accounting for more than 85 percent of the local economy and employing more than 70 percent of the islands’ population.
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, which manages around 60 per cent of the area, plays an important role in protecting wildlife and their habitats.
The Trust pays the Duchy a symbolic rent of one daffodil per year.
