Does England Still Own Land in the United States? No—Treaty of Paris 1783 Ended All Claims

Absolutely not. Great Britain (not "England" since 1707) relinquished all sovereignty and territorial claims over what became the United States in the Treaty of Paris, signed September 3, 1783.

Key Provisions

• Article 1: "His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States... to be free sovereign and independent states."
• Article 2: Established boundaries: Atlantic to Mississippi, Great Lakes to Florida (then Spanish).
• Article 7: British forces to withdraw "with all convenient speed" without removing "any Negroes or other property."

Aftermath

• Britain retained Canada (Quebec, Nova Scotia, etc.).
• Spain regained East/West Florida (ceded by Britain).
• US became a sovereign nation under international law.

Modern Land Ownership

Today, the British Crown Estate and private UK entities own commercial real estate in the US (e.g., offices, retail)—but as private property holders, not sovereigns. They pay US taxes, follow US law. No extraterritorial rights.

Common Myths

• "The Queen owns the US" – False. The Crown Estate is a statutory corporation, not the monarch personally.
• "Virginia is a royal colony" – False since 1776/1783.
• "Treaty of Paris only covered 13 colonies" – It defined US boundaries to the Mississippi.