Overview

This bill proposes significant changes to the funding and governance of the British monarchy and the Duchy of Cornwall. It aims to amend the Sovereign Grant Act 2011, reform the succession to the Duchy of Cornwall, and remove the need for royal consent on parliamentary bills.

Description

This bill makes several key changes:

• Amendments to the Sovereign Grant Act 2011: The bill amends the act to include the Duke of Cornwall in the recipients of the Sovereign Grant. It also restricts the use of the grant to official Royal travel for the six individuals next in line to the throne, defining "official royal travel" specifically.
• Amendments to the Duchy of Cornwall: The bill alters the succession to the title of Duke of Cornwall, allowing the eldest child of the monarch to inherit the title, regardless of gender. Critically, it also transfers the assets and property of the Duchy of Cornwall to a public trust for the benefit of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Secretary of State will have the power to set up and oversee this public trust.
• Removal of Royal Consent: The bill removes the requirement for Parliament to seek the consent of the Monarch, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, or Prince Regent before considering any public bill.

Government Spending

The bill will likely lead to a redistribution of the Duchy of Cornwall's assets, which currently generate significant revenue. The precise financial impact on government spending is not specified in the bill, but it is expected that the transfer of the Duchy's assets to a public trust will affect government finances, potentially increasing public funds managed by the government or reducing the income of the monarchy. No specific figures are provided.

Groups Affected

• The Royal Family: The bill directly impacts the financial resources and governance of the monarchy, potentially altering the funding of royal activities and travel. It changes succession rules for the Duchy of Cornwall and removes the need for royal consent on legislation.
• The Duchy of Cornwall: The bill fundamentally alters the Duchy's governance and ownership, transferring its assets to a public trust. This impacts the current management and beneficiaries.
• The People of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly: The bill aims to benefit the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through a public trust controlling the Duchy's assets. The actual benefits and the mechanism for delivering these benefits to the community are left to future regulations.
• Parliament: The bill removes a long-standing tradition of royal consent on legislation, impacting parliamentary procedures and the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament.

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