Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey is a church owned directly by the British royal family. Since the Christmas Day coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, nearly all English monarchs have been crowned in the abbey.

Westminster Abbey is not "owned" by the Royal Family in a private sense, but it holds a unique status as a "Royal Peculiar." This means it is a place of worship that falls under the direct jurisdiction of the British Monarch (currently King Charles III) rather than a bishop or archbishop of the Church of England. It is officially known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster. While the King is the Visitor of the Abbey, the day-to-day management and "ownership" in a functional capacity are handled by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. This special status, established in 1560 by Elizabeth I, ensures the Abbey remains a royal chapel dedicated to the sovereign's use for coronations, royal weddings, and funerals. In 2026, it remains the spiritual home of the monarchy, but it operates as an independent institution that relies on tourism and donations rather than being a private property of the Crown Estate.