King Charles has reportedly suffered a loss of his gardening staff at Highgrove House over the past three years. The Sunday Times recently reported that nearly all the gardeners employed at the estate have quit after trying to fulfill his requests. Reasons behind the staffers’ exit include lack of resources, “low morale,” and the physical and mental stress on the team itself.
11 out of 12 gardening staff have quit King Charles’ Highgrove House
King Charles reportedly had to part ways with 11 out of 12 gardeners at Highgrove House since 2022. According to an exclusive report by The Sunday Times, many staffers shared that the king’s requests are impossible to carry out due to a shortage of resources. A few others have raised issues with minimum wage and having to work in poor conditions that prompted their exit.
Out of the 11 gardeners, two heads of gardeners and a deputy head gardener reportedly quit within a year. The outlet claimed one of them worked with King Charles for decades. Another allegedly showcased a lack of knowledge about a particular flower, following which the king asked the staffer to never appear before him again.
One employee in late 2023 filed a complaint against the gardens’ management. They reportedly claimed that the team was understaffed, struggled for access to resources, and grappled to keep up with King Charles’ requests. The staffer also added that a few members from the team suffered physical injuries while tending to the monarch’s demands.
Meanwhile, The King’s Foundation reportedly launched an external investigation into the matter. According to The Sunday Times, evidence of “poor” management and “staff shortages” came up. Despite the investigation recommending training, mental health counseling, and pay review, insiders claimed that issues still continued.
On the flipside, a spokesperson from The King’s Foundation told Fox News Digital that Highgrove House’s staff turnover is “well below the national average.” They also claimed a significant increase in the “operating profit” and “visitor numbers.” According to the outlet, only one complaint was registered between 2024 and 2025 among close to 500 employees. Since 2022, staff have been receiving pay raises every year.
Originally reported by Varsha Narayanan on Reality Tea.
