Her husband, retired surgeon John Palmer, spoke of a pervasive feeling of “abandonment” among tenants. He questioned whether the Prince had the moral authority to sell, saying: “I honestly feel that he’s a custodian rather than an owner.”
The Bradninch disposal forms part of a broader restructuring. William is offloading a fifth of the 135,000-acre portfolio he inherited in 2022, consolidating around five geographic “heartlands.”
The Duchy’s chief executive, Will Bax, has said the organisation should not simply exist to own land, but should deliver a positive impact. Its strategy is to consolidate holdings around five geographic heartlands.
As Prince of Wales, King Charles was a regular visitor who knew tenants by name, penned personal condolence letters and sent thoughtful Christmas gifts, books in velvet bags, pottery, hand-carved wooden door stoppers. He would join the local shoot, affectionately dubbed the “Bradninch Rabbit Clearance Society,” and linger afterwards for tea or whisky with the farmers. On one occasion, his two detectives even helped deliver a calf.