The Royalists robustly condemn the recent malicious publication by The Guardian which inaccurately claims that the King and members of the Royal Family are privately benefiting from the Duchy of Lancaster’s bona vacantia funds. This “investigatory” article, published yesterday evening, is a glaring example of The Guardian’s persistent irresponsible misinformation concerning royal affairs and a potent failure to uphold a modicum of journalistic integrity.

The Guardian claim that His Majesty The King is “profiting from the deaths of thousands of people”, and that bona vacantia funds are being used to “secretly upgrade a commercial property empire.” These assertions are wholly false and lack any factual basis. According to the Duchy of Lancaster, no funds received from those who die without a next of kin or executable will go to the privy purse. The funds are instead donated to one of three charities: The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, the Duke of Lancaster Housing Trust, and the Duchy of Lancaster Jubilee Trust or held in trust to be used to improve the environment on the estate.

Republican hacks at The Guardian periodically publish these deliberately false narratives which serve to not only erode public trust in the media but also undermine the most basic principles of accurate reporting. We call on The Guardian to issue a public correction and apology, and further urge the media to exercise due diligence and fact-checking before disseminating stories involving the Royal Family and matters of significant public interest.