King Charles to ‘axe one in five middle managers because too many are doing similar jobs’

The King plans to fire an estimated one in five of his middle management staff to increase the efficiency of the Royal House, according to The Mail on Sunday.

Charles and Camilla are said to be appalled at what they believe is too many staff performing similar duties.

Nearly a year into his reign, the king is also tired of senior courtiers saying to him, “But that’s how the queen did it.”

The cuts will affect Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Windsor Castle and Balmoral – which collectively employ hundreds of people – and are part of the King’s long-held ambition to streamline and modernize the monarchy. Dozens of employees could be affected.

For years, a leaner monarchy with fewer working Royals – possibly seven instead of eleven – has been a priority. But the King realizes that this entails a reduction in personnel. He is said to be well aware of the financial burden a large household places on the taxpayer.

The cuts will hit Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Windsor Castle and Balmoral – which work in the hundreds together – and are part of the King’s long-held ambition to streamline and modernize the monarchy.

“There is a real feeling that the staffing at all palaces is too heavy,” said an insider. “There are way too many assistants for assistants. The king and queen would prefer to pay the people a decent wage from top to bottom, but have fewer people.

“For example, there are chefs for them and chefs for the staff. Why, they wonder, can’t there be the same number of kitchen staff for everyone?’

Camilla has made it clear that “a leveling of the royal staff” is needed. She will play a key role in monitoring any changes. “Her Majesty cannot stand too many people doing the same job. Senior housekeeper, executive housekeepers and juniors,” said a source.

She has raised the matter with the Master of the Household, Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.

Last week, the king was welcomed to Balmoral by a guard of honor for the first time since he came to the throne as he took up residence there for his summer holiday.

Although it was his mother’s favorite place to live, it doesn’t find the same favor with Camilla. The Mail on Sunday has been told she has deliberately chosen to stay in nearby Birkhall, the house she shared with Charles in Scotland for many years, because she can’t stand the ‘flummery’ of Balmoral.

A source said: ‘She dives in and out while the King is staying at Balmoral. She resides in Birkhall, where she has a limited number of loyal employees: her people.’

At the end of March, the monarchy employed just under 500 permanent workers, spread across the royal households, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle (pictured) and Kensington Palace.

Almost a year into his reign, the king is also tired of high courtiers saying to him: “But that’s how the queen did it”

Last week, the king was welcomed to Balmoral by a guard of honor for the first time since he came to the throne as he took up residence there for his summer holiday. Although it was his mother’s favorite place to live, it doesn’t find the same favor with Camilla

Charles has made no secret of his preference for a slimmed-down monarchy without ‘hangers’. In addition to himself and Camilla, this tight-knit team would likely include the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

But in May, Princess Anne told a Canadian news outlet that scaling back the monarchy didn’t seem like a good idea, suggesting the royal family was already streamlined enough now that Harry, Meghan and Andrew are no longer in official duties.

“I think ‘slimed down’ was said on a day when there were still a few people around to make that seem like a warranted comment,” she said in a rare interview.

“From where I’m standing now, it doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

The King also wants to reduce the number of houses in the royal portfolio and has reportedly asked Andrew to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor. In March, Harry and Meghan were evicted from Frogmore Cottage as part of the plans.

After the Queen’s death, Charles informed 100 employees at Clarence House, his former residence, that they could lose their jobs. Many had assumed they would be moving to the King’s new household, Buckingham Palace, but Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s senior aide, informed staff that some roles “would no longer be needed”.

Private secretaries, the finance office, the communications team and the domestic staff are said to have been affected.

This year’s annual Sovereign Grant report, which details royal spending, found that £444,000 in ‘exit packages’ went to 16 members of the late Queen’s staff who lost their jobs.

At the end of March, the monarchy employed just under 500 permanent workers, spread across the royal households, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace.

In October last year, Camilla scrapped the age-old function of ladies-in-waiting, saying a smaller number of staff was ‘more in keeping with the times’. Her existing staff instead took on the traditional duties of the Monarch’s official companions in what was lightheartedly described as a “two for the price of one” arrangement.

The late Queen had seven devoted ladies-in-waiting when she died.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment last night.