Historically, dukedoms have been used by monarchs of various countries to reward a valued service performed by someone. A military commander, for instance, who won a key battle. They become high nobles in the monarch's virtual court, below princes but above earls [there are technically marquesses in between but I don't think we have had one of those since the 16th century]. They are generally hereditary, and attached to some locality, over which they nominally "rule" - their Duchy.
So you would imagine that the Dukes themselves would feel a responsibility to live in their duchy, much like Members of Parliament often (well maybe sometimes) move to their constituencies. So how are we in the UK doing on that test?
Start from the top - the Queen is technically Duke of Lancaster. Why? Did she go to Uni there? No constituency residence.
The Duke of Edinburgh clearly thought "that's a cool place; the Athens of the North, they had dukes in Athens didn't they? [they did]; I'll go and live there". But he didn't.
The Duke of York obviously thought "there's a great train museum there; I'll go and live next door". But he didn't.
The Duke of Cambridge presumably studied at the Uni there. No he didn't.
The Duke of Sussex lives in California. Enough said.
The Duke of Gloucester [who he? you ask] lives in Kensington Palace and has a country home [obv] in Northamptonshire.
The Duke of Kent also lives in the very-crowded Kensington Palace, with a country home ...oh who cares?
Any more? Yes, there are 24 other Dukes in the UK. Mostly in England and Scotland but a couple in Ireland (one of those in the Republic, which is weird). None in Wales - just how united is our kingdom, your maj?
It is notable that there is no Duke of St Austell - there's definitely an opportunity here for a new appointment, ma'am. I'm available. But there is a Duke of Cornwall; it's a rather seedy pub not far from me, opposite a very decent BYO Indian restaurant. Oh, wait, I'm terrible sorry, Prince of Wales, that's you! I didn't realise you had two titles.
[Comment from the heir to the throne: I have eight]
What a ridiculous little country we are! Rich people who are related to the Queen get to live where they want and lord it over a distant community with which they have no connection.
Do I have some advice for our monarch? It kind feels a bit late for that; these things have been going for six hundred years or so.
Come the revolution...
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