King Charles has yet to ascend the throne but is already making changes.
Discover why 100 staff who worked at his estate are facing redundancy.
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It has been a historic week as the UK has come to terms with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and a new era of King Charles has begun. However, his own staff are facing the harsh reality of redundancy.
Up to 100 Clarence House employees have been informed that their services may no longer be required. Some of these workers have worked at the royal residence for decades, and have been helping ensure a smooth transition for the King. Many of these workers expected to be moving residence with the King.
The employees that ranged from household staff to communication teams received the news that they were may face redundancy during the thanksgiving service for the Queen, at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
The Guardian reported that Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s top aide, wrote a letter explaining the surprising situation: “The change in role for our principals will also mean change for our household.
“The portfolio of work previously undertaken in this household supporting the former Prince of Wales’s personal interests, former activities, and household operations will no longer be carried out, and the household [..]at Clarence House will be closed down. It is therefore expected that the need for the posts principally based at Clarence House, whose work supports these areas will no longer be needed.”
Alderton added that employees who are “direct, close, personal support and advice” to Charles and Camilla will keep their posts. A consultation period that will decide the fate of staff will begin after the Queen’s state funeral on September 19.
There is an expectation that those who are made redundant will be repurposed in other areas of royal service, and those who cannot be positioned will have help finding a new job alongside an “enhanced” redundancy package. “Enhanced” is said to go beyond the statutory minimum required by the employer.
One source told The Guardian: “Everybody is absolutely livid, including private secretaries and the senior team. All the staff have been working late every night since Thursday, to be met with this. People were visibly shaken by it.”
A Clarence House spokesman discussed the situation: “Following last week’s accession, the operations of the household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have ceased and, as required by law, a consultation process has begun.
“Our staff have given long and loyal service and, while some redundancies will be unavoidable, we are working urgently to identify alternative roles for the greatest number of staff.”
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