King Charles III is seriously shaking things up in the royal family!
The new monarch shocked the world when it was announced he evicted his son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle from their UK pad Frogmore Cottage. To strip his relatives of their home amid their ongoing feud seemed as brutal as things could get, but there could be worse coming…
According to several sources who spoke with the Evening Standard on Friday, this action was “just the start” of His Majesty’s expected changes to The Firm. In fact, it’s only the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to Charles’ slimmed-down plans for the monarchy!
Related: Could Prince Harry Lose His Visa Over Drug Stories In Memoir?!
What the 74-year-old seems most focused on right now is making many members of the royal family more financially independent, including forcing them to start paying for their own housing with subsidized rents stripped away over time. One source revealed:
“The King is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives.”
Yikes. That’s kinda a harsh thing to say considering the people most affected by this change (so far) are Charles’ immediate relatives: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and his brother Prince Andrew. The embattled Duke of York was booted from Buckingham Palace last winter. Charles also wants him to leave the Royal Lodge and move to Frogmore Cottage, a much smaller residence than he’s accustomed to.
According to one insider, Charles doesn’t want those who do not have an active role to play in the monarchy to be so reliant on the crown’s finances. When it comes to housing, some extended royal family members have enjoyed subsidized palace accommodations, such as apartments that are being used by their children as “London pads.” This luxury “is going to change” over time.
And get this: Charles is going to replace his royal relatives with… RICH STRANGERS! He’s literally planning to rent out the prestigious residences instead of offering them up to his family. Damn!
Related: Oprah Weighs In On Whether Harry & Meghan Should Attend Coronation
The source said the properties will be rented at commercial rates, including to those “outside the family” who will be vetted properly for security reasons, especially for the homes “in a palace environment.” Can you imagine your landlord being the freaking King of England?! Wild!
While this all seems pretty harsh, a senior figure tried to explain the thought process, sharing:
“A lot of practices that have evolved during the last reign will be changing. The King is not heartless or reckless, but if the family members are not part of the core family and not working for the crown, it is fair for them to house themselves and fund themselves.”
Meanwhile, Charles’ main goal over the next five years is to make the monarchy “fit for purpose,” and he’s working closely with Prince William to accomplish this. First on the docket? Trimming down his staff! An insider said:
“The staffing has been on the top-heavy side. That has built up over time, with advisers to advisers and so on. That’s all going to stop. The boss wants effective people in effective positions doing effective jobs being paid appropriately.”
Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, Master of the Household, and the Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Michael Stevens are said to be responsible for the shake-up, per the outlet. A senior figure dished:
“It is not about cuts, it is about getting the best value for money from those on the payroll. Sometimes less is more.”
With that in mind, they will be offering competitive salaries to ensure the best people are in the remaining jobs – but anyone else they deem useless now will be fired. This shouldn’t be a shock to the employees, though. They reportedly have a clause in their contract that states they could be terminated if a monarch dies, according to a former employee on Twitter. Those who won’t get to keep their jobs will be given a decent severance package and get help finding a new job. Hell of a lot nicer than the kick-out-the-door his family members are receiving!
His was my contract when I joined the royal household and clearly shows what happens wrt staff on the death of the monarch. If we had decent journalists instead of sensationalists it would be so much better. pic.twitter.com/MsgiqNg8Yx
— Tolgus Barncoose of Kernow – ???????????????????????????? (@TolgusB) September 14, 2022
Thoughts on this, Perezcious readers? Do you think Charles is taking the right steps forward for the monarchy?!
:quality(85):upscale()/2023/09/14/936/n/1922564/1eb8986c65037ae0e884d9.33922579_.jpg)
