Royal Heists and Scandals: How Palace Staff Steal and Tarnish the Monarchy’s Image
Imagine working for the British royal family in lavish palaces like Buckingham or Kensington. The pay? Underwhelming, to say the least. But hey, who complains when it’s a privilege? Working close to the monarchy is often a springboard to richer sheikhs and billionaires. Yet, until those opportunities come, some palace staff decide to “top up” their budgets – by less legal means.
Royal items vanish like magic!
Gold, silver, luxury frames, branded accessories, and fine china disappear from the palace. Small gifts from diplomats and businessmen often end up in staff hands. The property control system? As weak as paper. It’s hard to prove what was a gift and what was stolen. The most notorious case? Princess Margaret’s court butler, Harold Braun, sold personal items of the queen’s sister through the auction house Spink & Son. And a Buckingham Palace assistant cook? Stole 77 items worth thousands of pounds! Medals, photographs, souvenirs – all sold online before arrest.
Paul Burrell – King of Royal Treasures?
Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s butler, is known as the biggest collector of royal valuables. After Diana’s death, he kept thousands of her personal items – from clothes to bedding and gifts. He claimed to be safeguarding them but was caught trying to sell a valuable wedding gift to Charles and Diana. Safekeeping or theft? You decide.
Royal standards or lenient treatment?
Once, a drunken page fell right onto Queen Elizabeth as she climbed stairs! Instead of firing him, the queen just told him to go straight to bed. The salary? Modest. But accommodation and food are provided, and the job is almost lifelong – unless your employer outlives you. Still, some staff complain about neglect after retirement. The manager of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Bowes-Lyon, publicly expressed frustration after being forced to leave his official residence just three months after his mistress’s death.
Royal bosses: from capricious to approachable
Prince Charles was known as a demanding employer, often calling staff outside work hours. Meghan Markle had a bad reputation among employees, while Princess Diana was occasionally capricious. In contrast, Prince William and Kate Middleton are known as approachable and good bosses.
Scandals everywhere
Many former staff choose to speak out publicly, revealing private details of the royal family. Books and interviews often shake the palace’s reputation. Is this the price of proximity to the monarchy or a sign of deep problems in the royal system?
If you thought working in a royal palace was a fairy tale, think again. Royal thefts, scandals, and lenient treatment for mistakes make this story far from a fairy tale. What do you think – just the tip of the iceberg or a full-blown palace drama? Drop a comment, maybe together we’ll uncover more royal secrets!
