King Charles embroiled in new staff row amid 'demands' and 'poor conditions' at Highgrove
11 out of 12 staff members have left in the last three years, a report allegesKing Charles has reportedly been caught up in a row over the gardens at his Gloucestershire residence of Highgrove, reports have claimed.
According to an investigation by The Sunday Times, there has been a mass “exodus” of gardeners in recent years, with 11 out of 12 full-time gardening personnel making their departure since 2022.
King Charles caught up in staff row over Highgrove
It has also been alleged that complaints have been made surrounding their working conditions.
Highgrove House is the private residence of King Charles and wife Queen Camilla, located near Tetbury in Gloucestershire. The estate boasts stunning gardens, which are open to the public between April and October.
Reportedly overgrown and untended before he moved in, the gardens have been His Majesty the king’s labour of love for no less than 45 years.
Their website describes the gardens as “some of the most inspiring and innovative in the United Kingdom”.
Don’t put that man in front of me again.
Prior to becoming monarch in 2022, King Charles transferred stewardship of the gardens to the then Prince’s Foundation, now known as the King’s Foundation. This meant that he retained control over the estate, rather than it being inherited by son and heir to the throne, Prince William.
Highgrove’s gardens receive around 40,000 visitors annually, also hosting events and courses there. Just last weekend, they played host to a “Harmony Summit” to celebrate the connection between nature and humanity.
King Charles ‘in row’ over Highgrove gardens
The Sunday Times has claimed that both two heads and a deputy head gardener have left the gardening team in recent years, along with a string of others.
This year alone, two staff members have reportedly walked out, with the gardens advertising vacancies until very recently.
According to the investigation by the newspaper, a number of complaints have also been made by departing staff.
One probationary gardener allegedly claimed that a factual error he made about a flower led to the king saying: “Don’t put that man in front of me again.”
Charles’ ‘demands’ to Highgrove employees
Meanwhile, in 2023, another gardener allegedly launched a formal grievance against management at Highgrove Gardens. They reportedly alleged that the team was overwhelmed, under-resourced, and struggling to meet with the king’s expectations.
According to the report, some employees “have complained of poor conditions, including pay as low as minimum wage”.
The king reportedly has requests surrounding the gardens, such as the specific “size of peaches and the shade of roses”.
Despite having a team of staff, he reportedly continues to visit the gardens daily while in residence at Highgrove, even penning memos in thick red ink for his gardeners.
The Times describes the alleged memos as “strikingly specific,” “emotional,” and “demanding”.
In a statement to the publication, The King’s Foundation cited many “positive” developments at Highgrove since assuming management, including higher profits and visitor numbers.
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment on this story.
Read More: Camilla’s relatable reason she never wanted to be queen – and why King Charles ‘never gave up’
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