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King Charles loses 11 gardeners at Highgrove

The royal estate faces significant staff turnover due to dissatisfaction with working conditions.

July 20, 2025 at 03:27 PM

King Charles sees 11 gardeners QUIT Cotswolds mansion

The departure of 11 gardeners from King Charles' estate raises questions about management.

King Charles faces gardener exodus at Highgrove House

Recently, Highgrove House, the Gloucestershire estate of King Charles, lost 11 out of 12 gardeners since last year. The Sunday Times reported that dissatisfaction with working conditions, including low wages and overwhelming responsibilities, contributed to this exodus. The King, who carefully oversees the gardens, reportedly expressed disappointment over staff performance on specific garden tasks. Despite annual pay rises amounting to around 19% since 2022, complaints about management practices prompted an external investigation revealing poor resource allocation and staff shortages. The King’s Foundation acknowledged these issues and is now considering enhancements in staff welfare and training.

Key Takeaways

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Highgrove House lost 11 gardeners, revealing underlying management issues.

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Gardeners reported low wages and heavy workloads contributing to their exit.

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An external investigation found evidence of poor management and staff shortages.

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Despite yearly pay increases, worker dissatisfaction still remains a concern.

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The King oversees the gardens, sending personalized requests about maintenance.

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Staff morale is crucial, and complaints highlight the need for better support.

"At The King’s Foundation, we take staff welfare extremely seriously."

This quote highlights the Foundation's commitment to employee well-being amid growing concerns over management.

"The gardens team was overwhelmed and under-resourced."

A staff complaint that led to the investigation and reflects the challenges faced by the gardening staff.

"Our staff turnover is well below the national average."

The King’s Foundation seeks to reassure the public about employee retention despite the gardener exodus.

"Management training and support are crucial for retention."

This insight shows the Foundation's recognition of necessary changes to improve working conditions.

The situation at Highgrove House reflects broader trends in employment conditions, particularly in specialized sectors like gardening. Employees faced with demanding workloads and insufficient support are likely to seek opportunities elsewhere, especially when faced with management issues. As King Charles interacts closely with his garden team, the tension between high expectations and insufficient resources could damage morale further. If not addressed, this could lead to a ripple effect beyond the gardens, affecting the royal household's reputation as an employer.

Highlights

Highgrove's gardens reflect the King's high standards.
Gardener lost, but issues remain unresolved at Highgrove.
Management woes at Highgrove raise serious questions.
King Charles' expectations clash with gardener realities.

Concerns over employment practices at royal gardens

The departure of numerous gardeners highlights ongoing management issues and raises questions about job satisfaction and working conditions at Highgrove House.

How King Charles responds to this exodus may define his management legacy.

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highgrove royal gardening employment staff turnover wages royalty gardening employment

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