KING Charles is set to make a major royal shake-up by axing the late Queen’s loyal staff, sources have claimed.
It’s thought His Majesty will cut staff numbers across the Windsor estate in a push for a slimmed down monarchy.
According to figures released this summer, there were 491 full-time staff at the occupied royal palaces, which include Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Windsor Castle.
And now sources have told The Mirror that royal staff are “extremely worried about their futures” and fear that they could be left unemployed by the new year.
One insider said: “It’s a really testing time. Many are already resigned to leaving jobs they have cherished for years.
“It’s left a real sense of dread among staff.”
Windsor insiders believe the late Queen’s ladies in waiting at the Royal Stud in Sandringham are among those at risk of losing their jobs.
It comes after the King put his 101 staff at Clarence House on a notice of redundancy.
Charles’ coronation in May is also expected to be scaled down amid the cost of living crisis.
It follows the news that Palace is to open its doors to the public more than ever in history during the reign of King Charles III.
The King wants the stately home — undergoing a £369million renovation — to be more “inclusive” to the public, The Sun yesterday revealed.
There will be an increase in receptions for ordinary people and events for public figures.
It comes after a source last night suggested that Prince Edward will miss out on becoming Duke of Edinburgh.
His Majesty will instead keep the title himself without using it, a courtier revealed.
The late Queen and Prince Philip had promised that Prince Edward would get the title after his father’s death when he married Sophie Wessex inn 1999.
A source told the Daily Mail: “The King wants to slim down the monarchy, as is well known.
“That means it wouldn’t make sense to make the Earl the Duke of Edinburgh.
“It’s a hereditary title which would then be passed on to the Earl and Countess of Wessex’s son, James, Viscount Severn.
“Essentially, this was accepted by the Earl when he agreed that his children would not be a prince or princess.”
The Sun has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
Culled from The Sun (UK)
