King Charles and his gardening staff

Maybe as we are back to ragwort this somewhat circular thread might end.

My comments have been slightly tongue in cheek but I would still be up to sample some of the high life.
One is the same age as Charles so one ought to cope. At least one won’t have to wait in line for the 7 million odd patients ahead of one should one require an operation.

woodenspoon

silverlining48

I had a quick look and Charles can go weeks with only one or two appointments. That’s ok, he’s not on the go everyday and has plenty of down time, so won’t be deprived of boiled eggs and soldiers, and the 📺

I suppose if you had cancer and were having treatment you’d be working full time then silverlining48?

Another good point woodenspoon.

It's no good being [envious] of others because we have no idea what their lives are really like.
At least we had a choice of our paths in life.

Sandringham’s fab Children's Play Area is set amongst the trees in the Parkland. It features structures inspired by landmarks on and around the Estate. Your kids can enjoy multi-level play in the 26ft tall tower inspired by the water tower at Appleton, with high-level walkways, sand play, zip wires, swings and slides all nestled in nature.
the children’s play area can be accessed easily from our car parks in the Royal Parkland. The main part of the children’s play area is suitable for children ages 5-12yrs.
It is open daily from dawn - dusk and is free to visit. Tickets will be needed if you want to visit Sandringham itself.

It looks great!!

Of course, if it wasn't open to the public, free of charge, then there would be accusations of elitism.

silverlining48

I had a quick look and Charles can go weeks with only one or two appointments. That’s ok, he’s not on the go everyday and has plenty of down time, so won’t be deprived of boiled eggs and soldiers, and the 📺

I suppose if you had cancer and were having treatment you’d be working full time then silverlining48?

Explore Sandringham Royal Parkland by foot, by bike, or with your four-legged friends. Younger visitors can burn off some energy at our large Children’s Play Area – both are open and free to access all year round.

So manywhoppers misconceptions posted on Gransnet these days!!
If the truth doesn't make a good story, then embellish it 😁

merlotgran

Apparently he reprimanded one of the gardeners for allowing ragwort to grow near the outdoor swimming pool.
Any employer would have done exactly the same, wealthy or otherwise.
I suspect much of this has been blown out of proportion.

Although ragwort is toxic for horses, ‘It supports a wide variety of insects, many nationally rare or scarce, including 30 which are entirely reliant on ragwort. It is an extremely important source of nectar and pollen for many species including butterflies and bees. It's also an essential foodplant for the cinnabar moth caterpillar.’
I don’t suppose many horses are allowed near his swimming pool!

There is a difference between Crazy golf and Mini golf.
Should concerts be free?
How many people do you allow to tramp through your grounds, sorry, garden?
Are you needing kindling now your WFA has been stopped? If so, help is available, I think.

I had a quick look and Charles can go weeks with only one or two appointments. That’s ok, he’s not on the go everyday and has plenty of down time, so won’t be deprived of boiled eggs and soldiers, and the 📺

I live near Sandringham and if you come to visit you will see it has been turned into a money spinning circus. Crazy golf. Huge concerts where you are charged exorbitantly for a deck chair at the back.
Even the Lord of the manor used to give kindle to the serfs. We locals have to pay to walk in the woods. Even local children can only play in the play area if parents can afford a pass. He is not benign and I’ve never seen him showing any emotion except superciliousness. You should see the star of the estate’s tied cottages at Anmer. Now rented out they are tatty where you can’t see. I could go on for hours.
Meanwhile the Royals take their family to every elite event. Roll on a Republic!

letmein

Agree 100% eloethan

So another one who doesn't think serving in the Armed Forces is normal?

I do despair of Gransnet sometimes.

Such an easy life, castles and palaces, much staff, no matter if
one sneezes it with make the front page, as will having big ears,
wearing spectacles, a child will have school exams published but not by the schools. Remember in public keep smiling but
not if a solemn occasion, dating ? great fun, your date will have the press searching for ancestors, will know or want to know
everything, if they don’t they will invent from “sources close to” who wish to remain anonymous

Agree 100% eloethan

I wouldn't!!

Not for all the castles in the country.

Would I want that job?
The money, the castles, being driven around in a nice car and not an old fiesta woukd be a nice change, especially as I don’t like driving any more , everyone bowing and scraping might be odd but I could probably get used to it.
Everything has its drawbacks not having to worry about money is a big plus so in the scheme of things I would be willing to give it a try if he wants to step aside.

Well said, sue11d

I wouldn’t want that JOB … would you?
Nor me!

Charles’ work life short? He’s still working! Being a Prince and now a King is hard work. Sure, they have staff to do all those things we worry about, but they are ‘on display’ 24/7 . Have to been seen well groomed and to attention on ‘normal’ days and regularly have state occasions to attend that must be exhausting! To have to sit for hours talking to complete strangers in various counties, when all they’d like to do is have a boiled egg and soldiers and watch a film. MOST of the time they have had to behave their whole,e lives and do ‘ good’ things ( no wonder one or two ‘ kick over the traces occasionally) … I wouldn’t want that JOB … would you?

I don’t imagine the king actually organises the salary scales for his staff but maybe he should investigate the situation. It sounds as though his management staff are doing a poor job. Many years ago DH worked with the brother of a Lord, lived on the estate for free etc. Colleagues were discussing getting a mortgage and he asked what they were talking about. Some people live in guilded cages.

I have a friend who knows a long time staff member at Highgrove who thinks Charles is wonderful and a great employer. Probably best to get ALL sides of the story first?

I despair at some of the misconceptions I read on here sometimes.

😫

Norah

silverlining48

Charles has never had to worry about the cost of anything, it’s all provided , mostly by us. The price of a monarchy.

As for those who retire at 55 they can get another job or not depending on their circumstances. Perhaps charity work, hobbies, golf or do lunch or if finances allow, go on lots of holidays.
World and oyster comes to mind.

Monarchy does come at a price, no worry for the Monarch. However, constitutional monarchy is a choice which we live with.

As to retiring at 55, nobody I know has been forced out that young.

Not forced out

I wonder how much you understand about the Forces? The thing is, expertise gained during years of service is much sought after in Civvy Street so ex-Forces personnel usually go on to second careers. My DH worked then until 67 and could have carried on but decided not to.

Charles has a third career at an age most people are retired.

I do know a few people who retired at 55 - bank managers etc but perhaps not so much now. Police officers used to retire at 48.

silverlining48

Charles has never had to worry about the cost of anything, it’s all provided , mostly by us. The price of a monarchy.

As for those who retire at 55 they can get another job or not depending on their circumstances. Perhaps charity work, hobbies, golf or do lunch or if finances allow, go on lots of holidays.
World and oyster comes to mind.

Monarchy does come at a price, no worry for the Monarch. However, constitutional monarchy is a choice which we live with.

As to retiring at 55, nobody I know has been forced out that young.

He has never had to worry about utility bills and mortgages or how to pay fir a holiday or replace an old car… nothing financial, which fir the rest of us is major, but there will still be things of course.
Health, family relationships, things that money can’t buy.

As Eloethan says, Charles has never held down a normal job

So serving in the RAF and RN are not normal jobs?
Really?

No, perhaps not. They mean leaving wives, girlfriends, families alone for months at a time, dealing with incidents of which most of you have no idea?
Dealing with pressures most of you will never encounter.

No, probably not normal jobs.

silverlining48

As for pressure, of course he has had pressure, the same as all of us. .

the same as all of us

Not at all like all of us.

silverlining48

He was 30 when he married teenage Diana and believe Camilla was already married at the time .
If he as a 30 year old mature man was pressured then surely he doesn’t come across well.

More a case of doing his duty, marrying a suitable woman.
I'm sure Diana was pretty determined to marry him.

Now, whether that is how it should be is debatable.