The Edinburgh residence of Queen Elizabeth II comprises 289 rooms, and the Royal Household is seeking a part-time housekeeper to maintain them to her Majesty’s specifications. There is no requirement for prior housekeeping experience, but the job advertisement emphasizes the need for a “proactive approach” and a willingness to work for minimum wage.
The wage for the 20-hour-per-week position is £9.50, or $12.96 per hour. In April, the minimum wage in the United Kingdom will increase from £8.91 per hour to £9.50 per hour.
It is true that the Royal Household employs hundreds of individuals, ranging from gardeners to security guards, yet it may come as a surprise that the queen pays her employees the minimum wage. Forbes estimates her personal worth to be $500 million, while “the Firm” that she leads is valued at $28 billion.
According to Forbes, however, the Royal Household’s employees are not recognized for receiving generous pay. For example, an entry-level IT worker gets approximately $40,000 per year, which is significantly less than the average annual salary of roughly $51,000 for a junior IT specialist in the United States.
Based on the advertised hourly compensation, the part-time housekeeper position would pay nearly $13,000 annually. The job description states that they will be responsible for cleaning and caring after “a variety of interiors and items, ensuring they are displayed at their best.”
On the other hand, the Royal Household offers various perks that may make the base wage more enticing to applicants. The position includes 33 paid vacation days, compared to the norm of 10 paid vacation days for American workers, as well as a 15% contribution to the employee’s retirement account.
So, what does it take to be Queen Elizabeth’s housekeeper? Prior housekeeping or hospitality experience is preferred but not required, per the job description.
It continues, “We are more interested in your proactive attitude and aptitude to confront new difficulties.” High standards, organization, time management skills, and the ability to work efficiently are required.
“You must be eager to learn new skills and create a career in hospitality,” the posting states.
Applicants must also be British nationals or permitted to work in the United Kingdom. – and require a security clearance. According to the Royal Household, this includes a background check and can take between four and six weeks to complete.
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