As the King’s former home shuts, dozens of employees at Clarence House may lose their jobs.
The Queen was honoured in a church ceremony on Monday, and several of the staff members, some of whom had worked for Charles for decades, said they were informed that their jobs were in jeopardy.
Clarence House, which employs around 102 people full-time, said that “some redundancies will be necessary.”
The company will, however, “find alternate tasks for the largest amount of personnel,” according to a spokeswoman.
Employees in the finance office, the communications team, and the domestic staff who do lose their positions will get assistance in seeking new employment as well as a “increased” redundancy package.
It is anticipated that the King and the Queen Consort would relocate to Buckingham Palace, where they will join the Palace’s staff of around 490 people.
After learning of the potential layoffs, staff members at Edinburgh’s St. Giles’ Cathedral were described as being “visibly frightened.”
Everyone is furious, even the top team and private secretaries, a source told The Guardian. Since Thursday, every member of the crew has put in late hours in preparation for today.
The King’s chief assistant, Sir Clive Alderton, wrote to the staff in a letter that “The change in duty for our leaders will also entail change for our household.”
“The portfolio of work formerly done in this home supporting the former Prince of Wales’s personal interests, prior activities, and domestic operations will no longer be carried out, and the… will be shut off at Clarence House.
It is consequently anticipated that no longer be a need for the jobs mostly situated at Clarence House, whose work supports these sectors. I recognise that this is disturbing news, therefore I wanted to let you know about the help that is now accessible.
The letter also said that those employees who provide the King and Queen Camilla with “direct, close, personal assistance and guidance” would stay in their positions.
Following the official consultation process, which is anticipated to start after the Queen’s funeral on Monday, final choices will be made.
Although the news is claimed to have angered members of the previous household of the King, reports claim there is no animosity against Charles personally.
One stated: “It’s not meant at the King—everyone at Clarence House loves the King, or they wouldn’t be working there. It’s directed at the way the bean counters have handled it.”
“This is what occurs when there is a shift in the ruling party.” Two houses cannot be maintained, particularly given how tough the King’s task will be on a basic level.
However, the delivery and timing are subpar. The treasurers don’t consider the human aspect of things; they simply consider the money cost.
The activities of the household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have stopped after last week’s accession, and as required by law, a consultation process has started, according to a representative for Clarence House.
Even if some layoffs will be necessary, “Our personnel have provided long and devoted service, and we are working rapidly to locate alternate tasks for the largest number of staff.”
According to the Clarence House website, Charles hired the full-time equivalent of four cooks, two butlers, two chauffeurs, five housekeepers, and three valets and dressers.
He had 30 employees in the financial division, two persons in care of his trips, and 12 people monitoring his correspondence. 31 more people had jobs as researchers, equerries, or secretaries.