The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have taken control of two companies which were formed to protect their ‘brand’ and intellectual property rights.
Prince William and Kate, both 38, became the shareholders and therefore formal owners this week of the limited companies called APL Anglesey and CE Strathearn, which were set up in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The firms, set up in each of their names, enable the couple to sell officially-endorsed products and take action against anyone selling items that could harm their image.
Previously the shareholders were trusted royal aides who represented the interests of the couple and this is the first time that Prince William and Kate have been registered as owners of businesses with a potential commercial role.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured yesterday at Buckingham Palace) have taken control of two companies which were formed to protect their ‘brand’ and intellectual property rights
Prince William and Kate, both 38, became the shareholders and therefore formal owners this week of the limited companies called APL Anglesey (above, the paperwork showing this) and CE Strathearn, which were set up in 2012 and 2013, respectively
The firms, set up in each of their names, enable the couple to sell officially-endorsed products and take action against anyone selling items that could harm their image. Pictured, the notice showing Kate taking ownership of her company
The companies have never traded and have always filed dormant company accounts, although their existence means they could be called upon to carry out work for them in the future.
The move reflects speculation that William is gradually growing into his role as a future monarch and exerting greater hands-on control over his financial and personal affairs.
It follows a move in August last year when Prince William and Kate were registered as majority shareholders in the company behind their charity, the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
APL Anglesey was set up to represent Prince William’s interests in October 2012, taking its title from the initials of his middle names Arthur Philip Louis and the Welsh island where he and Kate lived after they were married.
Kate’s company CE Strathearn was formed in November 2013, using the initials of her names Catherine Elizabeth and her Scottish title of Countess of Strathearn, awarded by the Queen.
Previously the shareholders were trusted royal aides who represented the interests of the couple and this is the first time that Prince William and Kate (pictured) have been registered as owners of businesses with a potential commercial role
Paperwork filed at Companies House showing how the Duchess of Cambridge this week took over ownership of her company CE Strathearn
Paperwork filed at Companies House showing how Prince William this week took over ownership of his company
The formation of the companies made headlines at the time with commentators suggesting that it was a move more often associated with celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham.
Paperwork was filed at Companies House this week confirming that Clara Pearce, the assistant treasurer to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, had stepped down from her role as shareholder at both companies.
New documents were later filed confirming that Prince William and Kate had both become ‘an individual person with significant control’ of their own respective companies on Wednesday this week.
The paperwork named Prince William as being The Duke of Cambridge, William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor, as well as recording his nationality as British and saying that his country or state of usual residence was England.
Similar details were registered for Kate with her company, naming her as The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Elizabeth Cambridge.
The couple have not been registered as directors of their companies. Currently, the directors still include Prince William’s former private secretary Simon Case who became the new head of the civil service last month.
Prince Harry also had a dormant company called Tsessebe – the name of an African antelope set up in October 2012.
Companies House records show that Clara Pearce also stepped down as a person with significant control of Tsessebe on Wednesday, but no paperwork has yet been filed to say who currently owns the company.
Prince Harry remains a director of the company behind his and wife Meghan Markle’s charity which was formerly known as Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The foundation was formed last year after the couple formally split their charity activities away from the Royal Foundation which they previously shared with Prince William and Kate.
The Sussex foundation was put into liquidation in July and its name was changed to the MWX Foundation in August following Prince Harry and Meghan’s split from the Firm. The foundation is listed as being the owner of a separate company called MWX Trading.
Kensington Palace has been approached for comment about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s takeover of their companies.
Royal sources previously described the formation of the companies as a ‘sensible thing’ to protect the couple’s rights, saying the firms would only be used on special occasions and any money raised would go to charity.
A Kensington Palace spokesman previously said: ‘APL Anglesey and CE Strathearn have been set up to house the intellectual property rights of the Duke and Duchess. They were formed a year ago, but remain dormant. They are not intended to be used as a regular trading arm.’