Prince Charles to give up his organic farm before taking the throne

A new anonymous non-royal tenant has purchased the farm

(Getty Images)

The Prince of Wales has given up his organic Home Farm, Clarence House has confirmed.

Charles has owned the 1,000-acre plot of farmland near his home in Gloucestershire for 35 years.

Now, it has been confirmed that the heir to the throne will not renew his lease on the farm.

It is understood that the new lease would have been for 20 years and while it was due for renewal in 2021, Charles could not commit given that it is expected he will become king in the king in the coming years.

The farm was used to start the Duchy Originals brand – known now as Waitrose Duchy Organic – and products oats, wheat and eggs.

The prince will still maintain his country home at Highgrove, where the farm is located.

Charles has been an advocate of organic farming since he transformed the Home Farm to become completely organic in 1985.

A new anonymous non-royal tenant has purchased the farm from Prince Charles.

The Home Farm will remain entirely organic and will maintain a partnership with Waitrose Duchy Organic.

A Clarence House spokesman commented: “The Prince of Wales will not be renewing his lease on Home Farm but will continue to farm organically at Sandringham.”

The prince took over managing the farm at Sandringham estate in Norfolk from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The news comes after the actor Josh O’Connor, who plays the Prince of Wales in the hit Netflix series The Crown, said that he believes Charles “has no purpose” until he becomes king.

Speaking to Esquire UK about Charles’ role in the royal family, O’Connor said: “The question of having to wait for your mum to die in order for your life to have meaning, and what that means for a young man. It’s just bizarre.

“Charles doesn’t necessarily want power, but until she dies, what the hell is he doing? What is his existence? He has no purpose.”