More than a dozen of the Queen’s kitchen staff have walked out amid ‘turmoil’ at the Palace over the heavy demands placed on workers.
Chefs and porters are said to have complained about a lack of time off and the expectation that they will work at several royal residences for the same salary.
Cooks often have to travel between Windsor Castle – where the Queen lives most of the time – and Buckingham Palace where functions are held.
Prince Charles is also said to use the staff when he throws events and the chefs also cook meals for William, Kate and Harry at Kensington Palace.
Cooks often have to travel between Windsor Castle – where the Queen lives most of the time – and Buckingham Palace (pictured) where functions are held
A Royal insider told The Sun: ‘The place is in turmoil and the mood is getting steadily worse.
‘People work all hours God sends for no extra pay. Nobody gets any time off or sees their families. It’s too much.
‘They’ve concluded it’s not worth it any more. At least seven chefs have quit, plus other members of staff. Some are very experienced and won’t be easy to replace.’
The resignations come just weeks after the Queen lost her most senior courtier amid claims he was ‘forced out’ in a power struggle between Buckingham Palace and the Prince of Wales.
Sir Christopher Geidt (pictured), the Queen’s private secretary, suddenly announced in July that he was leaving after 15 years of royal service
Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen’s private secretary, suddenly announced in July that he was leaving after 15 years of royal service.
He was followed by his assistant private secretary, Samantha Cohen, the third most senior courtier in the Queen’s private office.
It has been claimed that Sir Christopher’s demise was sealed by a series of complaints from Charles and his brother, Prince Andrew, to the Queen who unusually backed her sons over her staff.
It is said that there were differences between Sir Christopher and Charles’s senior aides – led by his principal private secretary Clive Alderton – over how to manage the hand-over of power between the monarch and her heir.
Sources told the paper that the prince’s staff were keen to ‘accelerate’ plans to increase his involvement in key royal events by the time he turns 70 in November next year.
Speaking today, a Palace spokesman said: ‘There’s been no change to the usual turnover of Royal kitchen staff.’