King Charles set to hire new housekeeper at Holyroodhouse, salary is £12 an hour

The Royal Family splits opinion in the UK. It seems that, much like a certain vegetarian spread, you love them or you hate them. With Marmite, however, the stakes are somewhat lower. Meanwhile, in the royal households, popularity is important. While Prince Harry continues to make headlines over his scheduled return in May for the anniversary of the Invictus Games, King Charles has been keeping a relatively low profile.

The King, who has understandably cut back on royal engagements over the last few weeks, is now under fire over a job offer posted on the royal website. Here’s everything you need to know.

‘Highest standards’ on lowest legal pay

The job is for a housekeeper in one of the many royal residences. The family is looking for a housekeeper for Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland. Now for the kicker: the proposed pay would see this new hire earn £12 per hour, the minimum wage in Scotland. The position, in case you are curious, is for four days a week and demands ‘exceptional results’.

The post mentions ‘extraordinary service in incredible surroundings’ and the potential need for ‘travelling to other Royal residences’. King Charles usually spends around one week at Holyroodhouse Palace, during the summer months. While King Charles obviously didn’t pen this job listing himself, people on the internet have gone wild with the news.

Reactions to the job offer

The post excitedly tells applicants that this is their opportunity to use their 'enthusiasm and interest in hospitality to deliver the exceptional':

This is a career pathway in hospitality that will develop your housekeeping skills and expertise. Joining our professional team, you’ll upkeep, clean and care for a wide range of interiors and items, ensuring they’re presented to their very best.

It goes on: ‘Benefits include 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 over time, a pension scheme and leave options including for parents or those looking at volunteering days.’ However, people on the internet are not sold.

A glance at X shows that users find the pay for this position ridiculous. One user, @JanetteHeap, wrote that the monarch is ‘totally out of touch with the cost of living’ - and this is not the first time that he’s been accused of ignorance in this area. @colinnwalker, whose profile says he is a former Geography teacher, quipped: ‘Let them eat dust’.

Like any other institution, the Royal Family has many employees, and must post job offers when positions are waiting to be filled. Last month, an advert popped up for a Chef de Parti, who would work mostly at Buckingham Palace. However, the applicant also had to be happy to cook at Balmoral and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. While this position saw meals included in the offer, accommodation was only part of the deal after a 'salary adjustment'.

At a time when the Royal Family is working as a ‘slimmed down’ version of its former self, this is some bad press that they could really do without.

Read more:

⋙ King Charles and Queen Camilla: Their relationship from 1970 to 2024 in photos

⋙ Prince Harry may meet King Charles on visit but not Prince William, says expert

⋙ Princess Kate and King Charles have developed a sweet relationship over the years

Sources used:

Express: King Charles is hiring a new royal housekeeper with a very surprising salary

Mirror: King Charles is hiring new housekeeper - but salary of role may shock royal fans

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