King Charles and his gardening staff

Gardening is a low paid job generally, and people do move positions a lot. I don’t think that should be the case, but it’s the reality. I get the sense with the king that really he would like to be a full time gardener himself, so he’s probably both knowledgeable and challenging to work for too.
The real question I think is does he pay the going rate for the job? If he does, then it’s between him and them I think.

Smileless2012

I'm sure plenty of people who don't work for members of the Royal family resign for the same reasons.

That’s true, Smileless2012
The local authority were trying to recruit more gardening staff as numbers were dwindling, citing pressures of work, low pay and lack of respect for what they did.

A lot of companies these days want staff with top knowledge, available 24/7 for the minimum pay they can get away with.

Maybe Charles wants the entire team to be top of their field (excuse the joke) but then he needs to pay them accordingly.

That’s quite a staff turnover though. 11 out of 12.

I'm sure plenty of people who don't work for members of the Royal family resign for the same reasons.

Quote Kate1949 Sat 26-Jul-25 16:33:42
As Eloethan says, Charles has never held down a normal job. How can he possibly have any idea about the pressures working people face.

Some seem to know he never had any pressures !

As Eloethan says, Charles has never held down a normal job. How can he possibly have any idea about the pressures working people face.

Maybe having had the superb and prestigious experience of gardening at Highgrove they find 'the world is their oyster' full of keen employers with lovely estates to work on?

Quote Kate1949 Sat 26-Jul-25 16:15:46
They don't give a jot about ordinary people. They have no idea about real life.

They told you this ?

They don't give a jot about ordinary people. They have no idea about real life.

Surely many staff at Highgrove since 1980

Excuse or explanation. Neither are acceptable.

I doubt that he has any idea what his staff are paid . Like most wealthy people I doubt he would know what anything costs .
Something badly wrong if he can't keep staff .

Quote silverlining48 Sat 26-Jul-25 15:44:16
Anniebach
Is it possible the death of his mother 2022, his coronation
2023, diagnosed with cancer 2024 caused him much stress,
perhaps no because he is wealthy
Those reasons are not an excuse to treat staff badly.

Offering a possible explantation is not making an excuse , please. Note , explanation and excuse

It looks like a lovely garden.
My perception is that Charles might be a perfectionist, a bit overly demanding, and might therefore be uber critical.

Anniebach

Is it possible the death of his mother 2022, his coronation
2023, diagnosed with cancer 2024 caused him much stress,
perhaps no because he is wealthy

Those reasons are not an excuse to treat staff badly.

Eloethan

I have read that 11 out of 12 of Charles's gardening staff have resigned from their jobs in recent years, citing poor pay, over work and Charles's constant criticisms.

I find it disgusting that these workers were apparently on low pay and have felt the need to leave their positions because they feel overworked and under valued .

Charles - a man who has never held down a normal job or had the financial pressures of ordinary people - not such a benign character as we are encouraged to believe it seems.

Needless to say, I am not a fan of royalty so no doubt I will be accused of bias but this sort of high-handed behaviour infuriates me.

Agreed.

I'd think he could look at the wages paid, be a decent employer.

Walk the talk.

Is it possible the death of his mother 2022, his coronation
2023, diagnosed with cancer 2024 caused him much stress,
perhaps no because he is wealthy

I doubt he decides on wages

According to a report in the Sunday Times, the King’s Foundation, which is responsible for running Charles’s world-famous gardens at Highgrove, has seen staff turnover resulting in 11 out of 12 gardeners, including two head gardeners, exiting the position since 2022.