Prince William’s senior estate official has reportedly apologised to tenants affected by the potential sale of 3,000 acres of Duchy of Cornwall land.
Matthew Morris, the Duchy’s rural director, met with residents on the Bradninch estate in Devon amid concerns about the future of their homes and farms.
The Prince of Wales is said to have discussed the proposed sale with Mr Morris following concerns raised by residents.
A spokesperson for the Duchy of Cornwall said: "We recognise that these are important and deeply personal decisions.
"Every tenant is being supported through the process on an individual basis, with access to practical guidance from the estate team, independent welfare and mental health support services and ongoing discussions about what is right for their circumstances.
"These services have been available for many years and remain available throughout this process."
The sale, part of a wider restructuring of the Duchy, aims to redirect investment towards housing, environmental restoration, and renewable energy projects.
Concerns raised by tenants about property valuations have prompted the Duchy to commission new independent assessments.
According to People magazine, Mr Morris agreed to fresh valuations after some tenants felt farms had been priced too highly.
The new valuations are expected to be carried out jointly with tenants to improve confidence in the figures used during negotiations.
The sale process began in March, with residents given the option to buy their properties or relocate.
A source told People magazine that most farming tenants were actively considering purchasing their properties, though the process has taken longer than some had hoped.
The Duchy spokesperson said: "All tenants are being offered first refusal to purchase their homes and farms, often with discounts that reflect both the length of tenure and type of tenancy they have and the investment they have made in the property."
Eight of the nine farming tenants affected are exploring the possibility of buying some or all of their farms, and about two-thirds of residential tenants are considering purchasing their homes.
The spokesperson said: "Through ongoing discussions with tenants, eight out of nine farming tenants are actively exploring the purchase of some or all of their farm, while around two-thirds of residential tenants are considering the same option."
The Duchy described the sale as part of a long-term plan to reshape how the estate manages its land and investments.
The spokesperson said: "These changes are part of a long-term strategy to direct future Duchy of Cornwall investment where it can deliver the greatest long-term benefit for communities, farming, nature and the local economy.
"We will continue to support tenants with care, respect and fairness, whatever decision they ultimately make."
First reported in May, the proposed sale was revealed by The Times as part of a strategy to dispose of around a fifth of the Duchy’s landholdings.
Future investment will focus on Cornwall, Dartmoor, the Isles of Scilly, Bath, and areas of London, with priorities including housing, nature recovery, and renewable energy.
The Duchy of Cornwall was established in 1337 by King Edward III to provide an income for the heir to the throne.
It was inherited by Prince William from King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
The estate spans more than 128,000 acres across England and Wales and generates private income to support the Prince of Wales’s household, staff, and official duties.
The Duchy is valued at more than £1 billion, with Prince William reportedly receiving about £30 million annually from its income.
The Prince has made housing and homelessness central to his public work, launching the Homewards programme in 2023 to develop community-led homelessness prevention projects across the UK.
His efforts were documented in the programme Prince William: We Can End Homelessness.
He has also championed environmental initiatives through the Earthshot Prize, which funds solutions to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
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