Highgrove Uproar: 11 Gardeners Quit Over Low Pay
Okay, so let me tell you, I have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS, and we need to talk about this. By Quinn Parker
Eleven of King Charles’s twelve gardeners at the Highgrove estate have handed in their notices, citing crippling workloads and substandard wages, according to The Times and confirmed by The Telegraph. The mass resignation leaves just one gardener in post to maintain the sprawling gardens of the Prince of Wales’s country home. Sources say the departures were a collective decision after months of failed pay negotiations with estate management.
Staff briefs obtained by The Times reveal that the garden crew was expected to juggle extensive planting schemes, historic hedge trimming, and 24-hour maintenance of formal grounds without overtime compensation. One anonymous former gardener told reporters, “We were overwhelmed and underpaid – it just became impossible to keep up.” The Highgrove newsletter touted a “team of twelve dedicated horticultural experts,” but insiders now whisper that morale hit rock bottom last spring.
Reports in The Telegraph highlight a pattern of salary freezes over three budget cycles at Highgrove, where the average pay for a gardener falls nearly 15 percent below the national average for comparable roles. A parliamentary aide noted the irony that an estate famed for eco-friendly initiatives could be struggling to retain staff. Union representatives have stepped in, warning that this staffing crisis reflects a wider issue across royal properties, including Buckingham Palace and Balmoral.
Highgrove, located near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, is famed for its organic gardens and royal open days, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each summer. Now, with only one gardener remaining on the books, the estate faces the real risk of slowed planting schedules, neglected grounds, and potential closure of public tours. Garden experts say this could have a “knock-on effect” for local tourism and community volunteers who rely on estate-led workshops.
The palace declined to comment beyond a brief statement: “We are reviewing the situation and exploring all options to support our gardening team.” However, insiders suggest contingency plans include hiring temporary contractors or outsourcing to private landscaping firms, a move some staff worry could compromise Highgrove’s signature organic methods.
What happens next at Highgrove could set a precedent for pay structures across royal estates. Will King Charles step in to address the pay gap and preserve his beloved gardens? The coming weeks promise to be crucial for the palace’s horticultural reputation and for the future of Britain’s most famous royal grounds.
I swear, I could talk about this all day!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and The New York Post, The Times, The Telegraph
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
