In 1862, the local Duchy of Cornwall estates are sold to the Ashridge Estate. Since the 13th century, rectors of Great Berkhamsted had been presented to the bishop by the reigning monarch, and since 1722 by the Duke of Cornwall. With the 1862 change in land ownership, the right of patronage passes to the Earls Brownlow. The last rector of St Peter’s to be presented by a royal patron is Rev James Hutchinson (installed in 1851 with Prince Albert Edward, eldest son of Queen Victoria, as patron).
