'Royal Cheapskate': King Charles Offers Palace Job for 'Below Minimum Wage' to 'Mock His Peasant Subjects' Many of Which 'Can't Afford to Pay Bills'
King Charles III's advertisement for a housekeeping position at Windsor Castle, offering pay below the U.K.'s minimum wage, has backfired. Reports reflect that initially, the job was advertised with a salary of 22,000 pounds per year, which worked out to 10.54 pounds per hour — falling short of the legal minimum wage of 11.44 pounds per hour for London-based jobs.
This led one commenter to describe His Majesty as a "royal cheapskate."
The listing required candidates to help maintain the royal interiors, work up to five days a week, and perform a range of duties typical of a royal household staff member.
The backlash began when the job posting gained attention for offering wages below the legal requirement, particularly given the royal family's immense wealth, which amounts to billions of pounds when land holdings and assets are factored in. The advertisement quickly sparked criticism, with many pointing out the stark contrast between the extravagant royal lifestyle and the modest pay being offered to their staff.
"Isn't it great to see our head of state, which we did not elect, mock his peasant subjects with such insulting pay," another X commenter stated.
"People literally cannot afford to pay bills and this parasite lives in the laps of luxury and has the gall to pay peanuts," a third stated.
In response to the growing backlash, the job listing was updated with a revised salary of 24,188, pounds equating to approximately 11.65 per hour — just above the minimum wage.
While this adjustment may have appeased some critics, it further underscored the ongoing debate about the royal family’s approach to employee compensation, particularly given their wealth and the public funds they receive for their operations.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the specifics of the pay scale but has faced increasing scrutiny over the management of royal employees, especially in light of past reports about low wages and high expectations for staff members.
This incident serves as a reminder of the growing tensions between the royal family’s public image and their internal operations, particularly as the monarchy continues to navigate its place in modern British society.
"It really just shines a light on this entire institution," an Instagram poster highlighted. "When the Queen came to the throne, people still believed God put her there, and everybody participated in the charade, but in 2024, it looks so ridiculous."
King Charles himself did not set the rates of pay, which is a task managed by the massive Royal Household division that operates the monarchy's day-to-day functions.
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The Daily Beast reported on King Charles' palace job.
