The Royal Household is set for a major shake up, according to reports, and Queen Camilla may be the reason why, a royal biographer has stated.
King Charles is said to be drawing up plans to axe 20 per cent of his middle-management staff in a bid to increase efficiency.
The monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, believe that too many members of staff are doing similar jobs, according to the Mail on Sunday.
Speaking on GB News, royal biographer Angela Levin says Camilla is the key driver of change as she is used to working with much fewer staff.
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“I think it’s a very interesting thing. The Sovereign Grant is £86.3 million which the Government gives them, which means each of us have to pay £1.29”, she told Patrick Christys.
“I think this is to do with the King marrying someone who isn’t from royal stock.
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“I know Camilla, I wrote her biography. She isn’t someone who is very flash and wants loads of staff hanging around her, she is used to running her own home, and she still does to a certain extent.
“I think she feels that it is a waste, and she doesn’t need all those people. I’m sure Charles is used to it.”
Levin went on to add that cuts in the Royal Household are justified as the make-up has become too much like “Downton Abbey”, but is hopeful that efforts will be made to help staff get new jobs.
She said: “If you think there is a senior housekeeper, an executive housekeeper and juniors, it sounds to me like Downton Abbey and not like London in 2023.
Angela Levin says Camilla is to blame for royal shake ups
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“It’s perfectly okay. If the palaces are going to be changed to be museums, like several are, you won’t need as many staff there either.
“It just depends on what they are given when they leave. They should help find new jobs for them.”
The King is also reportedly leading an eco drive in royal households with orders to reduce thermostats.
Temperatures were set at 19C (66F) during the winter at royal residences, but staff have now been “educated” to turn the temperature down to 16C when rooms are empty, according to the Mail.
Radiators have reportedly been switched off at weekends completely along with the remaining historic gas lamps, which are in the process of electrification.
According to Angela Levin, Charles is not laying out the optimal foundations for a thriving working environment.
“The thing I find odd that Charles wants everyone to turn down the thermostats so they don’t use so much heat”, she told GB News.
“You can manage without three housekeepers doing similar jobs, but you can’t manage in a cold room, especially in winters.”