Royal profits on dead citizens’ money a ‘remnant of feudal Britain’ – mayor – Analysis

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called for an end to the feudalistic practices that allegedly allow the British royal family to profit from the assets of deceased individuals, according to a statement he made on Friday. Burnham’s statement comes in response to a report by The Guardian, which claims that King Charles III and his relatives have been taking money left behind by individuals who died without a will or known next of kin and using it to renovate their properties.

The report states that, under the “bona vacantia” system, the assets of such individuals in most of England and Wales go to the Treasury and are used for public services. However, near two hereditary royal estates in England – the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall – the money is collected by the monarch and their relatives, based on a custom dating back to the Middle Ages. The royal family argues that while they take in the money, it is donated to local charities.

Mayor Burnham, who is in charge of the county within the boundaries of the Duchy of Lancaster, describes the practice as a “bizarre remnant of feudal Britain” and believes it redistributes wealth in the wrong direction. He criticizes the lack of transparency in the system, stating that local residents were never informed of its existence or consented to it. Burnham is calling for a public consultation on the issue to establish arrangements that would gain greater public consent.

Steve Rotheram, the mayor of the Liverpool City Region, shares Burnham’s concerns and believes the funds collected could be better spent assisting families in need.

The Guardian’s article alleges that over the past decade, the Duchy of Lancaster has collected over £60 million ($75.6 million) in bona vacantia, with only a small portion going to charity. Instead, the funds have reportedly been used to upgrade commercial properties rented out by the royal family for profit. The newspaper cites anonymous sources claiming that the estate managers considered this money to be “free money.”

While Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, a spokesperson for the Duchy of Lancaster stated that the money is designated for various purposes, including the restoration and repair of qualifying buildings for future generations.

Analysis:

The Guardian serves as the primary source for this article, which may be considered a credible news outlet. However, the anonymous sources mentioned in the article could pose some concerns regarding the reliability of the claims made about the royal family’s use of the funds collected. Without identifiable individuals or additional substantiating evidence, it is challenging to fully assess the credibility of these claims.

The article presents the facts regarding the “bona vacantia” system and the royal family’s involvement in collecting the funds accurately. The viewpoints of Mayor Burnham and Mayor Rotheram are included, providing a balanced perspective on the issue. The article does not appear to present any explicit biases.

The impact of this information could lead to public scrutiny and questioning of the royal family’s actions in collecting these funds. The lack of transparency and potential misuse of funds, as alleged by The Guardian’s anonymous sources, may contribute to a broader perception of the royal family as out of touch or benefiting unfairly from their position. It could also fuel discussions on the need for reforms or public consultations regarding the redistribution of assets in the British monarchy.

The broader political landscape and the prevalence of fake news can influence the public’s perception of the information presented. People who already have negative biases or suspicions about the royal family may readily accept these allegations as further evidence of wrongdoing. On the other hand, those who have a positive view of the monarchy may remain skeptical and question the credibility of the news source or the motives behind the claims.

Overall, the reliability of the article is moderate, with potential biases and the use of anonymous sources to consider. Readers should approach the information with skepticism and seek additional sources or evidence to form a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Source: RT news: Royal profits on dead citizens’ money a ‘remnant of feudal Britain’ – mayor