Recent rumors claim that Prince William has fired a key employee – someone with significant links to Queen Camilla and King Charles III. – in a surprising upheaval in the British royal family.
Netizens were shocked to learn that Prince William kicked Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, out of the Duchy of Cornwall. Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005 and has worked on a number of royal homes under the supervision of King Charles III, according to The Telegraph on July 24.
The 75-year-old interior designer is leaving as Prince William begins to dictate how the estate will be run. After working for more than 20 years, she was not compensated for her services in 2023-2024, according to the Duchy’s most recent accounting.
The report repeated a passage from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report which discussed Charles’s last six months in charge of the estate and William’s first six months after his succession following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“In the ordinary course of business and on terms independent of the Duchy, the Duchy paid to Mrs. Annabel Elliot, sister-in-law of the 24th Duke of Cornwall, £19,625 (or $25,091.25) in fees and commissions for the period to 8 September 2022 and £12,316 ($15,746.44) to purchase furniture, fixtures and retail supplies for Duchy of Cornwall Holiday Accommodation, Duchy Offices and Duchy Nursery,” Enil (2023: Enil) said in a statement it still owes these [sic] as at 31 March 2024.
As a private estate, the Duchy generates income and funds the Duke of Cornwall and his family’s public and private activities. This place, which is regulated by special charters and rules, was founded in 1337 by Edward Ill in support of his son Prince Edward.
With the aim of protecting the estate for future generations, its management places great emphasis on sustainability and community contribution.
William, the current Duke of Cornwall, pays income tax on the estate’s annual income but has no access to its money.
In addition to its historical significance, the duchy offers opulent holiday rentals in historic structures spread across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Created by Annabel, these homes combine modern and antique design elements. Recycled materials are used, such as glass bottles for lamps and old chests for coffee tables.
Thanks to the use of heating technologies with renewable energy sources and green electricity, the housing estate prioritizes ecological sustainability. In addition, it promotes eco-friendly travel that benefits regional economies and communities.
Netizens’ reactions to William’s decision to drop Annabel from the duchy’s payroll were mixed. Commenting, he wrote: “Charles put her on the payroll, she wouldn’t be an interior designer if it wasn’t for her sister and I’m glad Prince William took her off the payroll [sic].”
Some expressed surprise that Annabel’s role was unknown to them. “So he should, he didn’t know he was on the payroll,” commented one of the networks. Another questioned why Annabel was involved, asking: “Why was she even involved? What exactly is she doing?”
Another person said: “The contract that Camilla’s sister, an interior designer, was working on has now been completed. Annabelle is 75 and will be retiring. A fifth said: “Well.
She is neither his aunt nor his mother.
Another commented, “Makes sense,” referring to the generation gap. I think the style of a 40-year-old and an 80-year-old should be very different. My grandmother’s interior designer is also not someone I would hire.
However, some saw William’s act as prescient. Prince William is very clever according to one user, while another questioned his motivation saying: “I think William has a big head now showing his true colours, who else is he going to shoot?”
“She is now of retirement age and is obviously helping her sister with other matters,” said another, downplaying Annabel’s importance in the royal family. She finished her work. No wonder the media is causing trouble again.
Despite being dropped from the duchy’s payroll, Annabel continues to work on royal projects such as the latest Balmoral renovations. However, her business, Annabel Elliot Limited, is clearly in financial trouble, as seen in the reported decline in assets in recent years.
Annabel’s country house in Stourpaine, Dorset serves as the headquarters for her business. While Charles was still married to the late Princess Diana, she and her late husband Simon reportedly had Charles and Camilla “secret meetings” at the site.
Prince William’s decision to remove Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll marks a significant shift in royal estate management as William takes a more hands-on approach.
While Annabel had a long-standing role as the estate’s interior designer, her departure reflects a wider trend of change and modernization in the Royal Family’s management style. Her work on royal properties such as holiday rentals in Cornwall has helped combine historic charm with eco-friendly design, but as Prince William asserts his authority over the duchy, he appears to be streamlining operations and moving away from certain royal traditions, particularly those tied to family ties.
The complexity of the situation is underscored by the mixed reactions of the public. On the one hand, some believe that Annabelle’s association with Queen Camilla justified her role, thus delaying Prince William’s decision to remove her from the payroll. Others question why she was even employed, especially given her age and the fact that most of her work is now done. For many, the move signals a generation gap, with younger royals like William making decisions that are more pragmatic and less influenced by family ties. However, there are those who see William’s actions as a necessary step to regain control of the duchy and ensure its leadership is in line with his vision for the future.
Despite being removed from the payroll, Annabel’s influence on royal projects remains and her design work, including recent renovations at Balmoral, continues to contribute to the royal family’s aesthetic. Still, the financial problems of her business suggest that this may be the beginning of a quieter phase in her career. As Prince William’s decision shapes the future of the dukedom, Annabel’s legacy in royal design appears to be on the wane, and public attention is shifting to what her departure means for wider dynamics within the royal family.
The event ultimately underscores the evolving nature of the British monarchy, where tradition and family ties are increasingly juxtaposed with a desire for efficiency, sustainability, and a new vision for the future. As Prince William takes a more active role in royal duties, decisions like these will likely continue to shape public perception and the inner workings of the royal family for years to come.