In a shocking move within the British royal family, Prince William is said to have fired a crucial member from his payroll—someone with deep ties to Queen Camilla and King Charles III.Netizens were taken aback when Prince William apparently withdrew Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, off the Duchy of Cornwall payroll. According to The Telegraph on July 24, Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working on numerous royal palaces under the supervision of King Charles III. A netizen’s response to Prince William’s decision to remove Annabel Elliot from the payroll.
The 75-year-old interior designer’s resignation comes as William attempts to mold the estate’s management in his image. According to the most recent Duchy accounting, she was not paid for her services from 2023 to 2024, bringing her nearly two decades of employment to an end.The article replicated a remark from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report, which covered Charles’ final six months overseeing the estate and William’s first six months after inheriting it following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The statement read, “During the period ending September 8, 2022, the Duchy paid Mrs Annabel Elliot, the 24th Duke of Cornwall’s sister-in-law, in the normal course of business and on an arm’s length basis £19,625 (or $25,091.25) for fees and commission and £12,316 ($15746.44) for the purchase of furniture, furnishings, and retail stock for the Duchy of Cornwall Holiday accommodation, Duchy offices, and Duchy Nursery. Mrs Elliot owed £nil (2023: £nil) for them [sic] as of March 31, 2024.
The Duchy is a private estate that generates revenue and supports the Duke of Cornwall and his family’s official and private activities. This location was founded in 1337 by Edward III to support his son, Prince Edward, and is regulated by particular charters and rules. The estate is managed with an emphasis on sustainability and community benefit, with the goal of preserving it for future generations.
The current Duke of Cornwall, William, does not have access to the estate’s capital and pays income tax on its annual revenues.Along with its historical significance, the Duchy provides luxurious holiday cottages in period buildings around Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Annabel designed these homes, which combine antique and modern styles, using repurposed materials such as glass bottles for light fixtures and old chests for coffee tables.
The estate prioritizes environmental friendliness, utilizing green electricity and renewable energy heating systems. It also promotes sustainable tourism, which benefits local economies and communities. Netizens have had conflicting views to William’s decision to remove Annabel from the Duchy’s payroll. According to one user: “Charles put her on the payroll she wouldn’t have been interior designer if it wasn’t for her sister and I’m glad Prince William took her off payroll [sic].”
Not everyone was aware of Annabel’s participation, and some were surprised. “So he should, didn’t know she was on the payroll,” one netizen commented. Another questioned Annabel’s involvement, asking, “Why was she even on it? “What does she do exactly?”
Another said, “Camilla’s sister, an interior designer, worked on a contract, which is now complete. Annabelle is 75 and retiring [sic]. A fifth said, “Good.” “She’s not his mother or aunt.”Meanwhile, some viewed William’s decision as prudent. One user commented, “Prince William is very wise…,” while another questioned his intentions: “I think William has big head now showing his true color, who else is he going to fire?”