King Charles accused of overworking and underpaying staff at Highgrove Estate
Image: YouTube
King Charles is facing a growing crisis at his beloved Highgrove estate as 11 of his 12 full-time gardeners have resigned within the past year, according to an explosive report by The Sunday Times.
The staff exodus follows a wave of complaints that workers felt 'overwhelmed and underpaid' while struggling to meet the King's escalating demands - including cutting the lawns by hand.
Among those who quit were two heads of gardens and a deputy head gardener - key figures in maintaining the 15-acre organic gardens that King Charles has spent over four decades cultivating.
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One long-time staffer left after decades of loyal service, while another reportedly lost the monarch's trust after failing a probation period due to not knowing enough about a particular flower.
'Don't put that man in front of me again,' King Charles allegedly said, according to sources quoted in the report.
The estate, purchased by Charles in 1980, is now the subject of intense scrutiny.
Complaints to management have described a work environment marked by low morale and unreasonable expectations.
One employee, writing in late 2023, said the team was 'overwhelmed, under-resourced and constantly struggling to fulfil the King's requests.'
Several staff members reportedly suffered physical injuries while trying to meet the rigorous pace and volume of tasks, some of which were delivered in red-ink memos said to be "strikingly specific and emotional."
Gardeners were expected to act on instructions given during the monarch's daily walkabouts, all of which had to be completed before his return.
A source added that King Charles frequently corrected grammar in staff reports and required all employees to refer to him as 'Your Majesty' at all times. 'There was anger boiling at the surface, very impatient, no politeness at all,' claimed one former gardener.
Wage concerns were a recurring theme, with insiders revealing that in March 2022, three gardeners earned the UK minimum wage of £11.98 per hour (R285), while others earned slightly more at £12.78 per hour (R304).
These pay levels remain concerning, particularly considering Highgrove generated over £8 million ( R190 million) in revenue last financial year - the highest of any royal residence.
The King's Foundation, which manages the estate's operations, has since commissioned an independent HR consultancy to investigate the claims.
The investigation confirmed 'staff shortages,' 'poor management practice,' and acknowledged that pay had become a key issue affecting recruitment and retention.
The report recommended a number of interventions, including management training, improved mental health support, counselling for staff, and a comprehensive pay review.
One of the King's closest advisers, Constantine 'Costa' Innemée, the current executive director of Highgrove, was also named in the staff complaints.
Innemée allegedly insisted that King Charles's orders be followed, even when staff warned that certain actions, such as relocating plants, would damage or kill them.
'If the king wanted a plant to be moved from A to B but the gardener's professional opinion was that it would die as a consequence, Innemée's position would be to insist on it anyway,' one former gardener told The Sunday Times.
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