In a surprising shake-up within the British royal circle, Prince William has reportedly dismissed a key figure from his payroll—someone with close ties to Queen Camilla and King Charles III.
Prince William has reportedly removed Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll, surprising many. Since 2005, Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer, working under King Charles III’s direction.
Annabel’s departure marks the end of nearly two decades of her service as William begins to shape the estate’s management in his way. She wasn’t paid for her services in 2023-2024, signaling a fresh start.
The report repeated a statement from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report. It detailed payments from King Charles’s last six months managing the estate and William’s first six months after inheriting it.
The statement read, “During the period to 8th September 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 ($15,746.44) for the purchase of furniture, furnishings, and retail stock for the Duchy of Cornwall Holiday accommodation, Duchy offices, and Duchy Nursery. At 31st March 2024 there was £nil (2023: £nil) remaining payable to Mrs. Elliot in respect of these.”
The Duchy of Cornwall, established in 1337 by Edward III to support his son, Prince Edward, is a private estate that funds the official and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall and his family. It is managed with a focus on sustainability and community benefits.
Along with its historic significance, the Duchy offers luxury holiday cottages in period buildings across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Designed by Annabel, these interiors blend antique and modern styles, using recycled materials.
The estate emphasizes eco-friendliness, utilizing green electricity and renewable energy heating systems while promoting sustainable tourism that supports local communities.
William’s decision has drawn mixed reactions. One person commented that Charles only put her on the payroll because of her sister, while another expressed surprise at her involvement.
Not everyone was aware of Annabel’s role. Comments ranged from questioning her job to others suggesting she retired as part of the natural course of aging.
Some saw William’s move as a sign of prudence, while others saw it differently, suggesting he was showing his true colors.
Despite being removed from the Duchy’s payroll, Annabel remains active in royal projects, including recent renovations at Balmoral. However, her company has faced financial challenges, with a noted decline in assets over recent years.
Annabel’s company is based at her country house in Dorset, which reportedly hosted secret meetings for Charles and Camilla during his marriage to the late Princess Diana.
Camilla’s position within the royal family remains a topic of interest, with reports suggesting Prince Harry distrusts the growing bond between William and the Queen.
Royal expert Tom Quinn noted that Harry sees this relationship as a betrayal. He was shocked when William realized Camilla is actually a “nice woman.”
Despite the brothers’ tensions, William’s royal responsibilities have grown. In May, Charles appointed him Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
The Palace stated that William’s new role was previously held by Charles for 31 years.
The official date for the role transfer was May 13, and it coincided with Harry’s trip to the UK that month.
Harry’s connection to the Armed Forces is strong. He worked in the Forces for ten years, serving two Afghanistan tours before ending his operational duties in 2015.
The royal family pays regular visits to soldiers, recognizing and supporting their work both at home and abroad.
William’s new title and the removal of Annabel from the Duchy payroll highlight his growing responsibilities. These decisions, amid tensions with Harry, add a fresh twist to the royal family’s evolving story.
Creating further intrigue was the fact that, although William was stepping into the role for the first time, the position itself was not new, as it previously belonged to the Duke of Sussex.
Harry’s affiliation with the Armed Forces runs deep. Aside from previously holding the title, he worked in the Armed Forces for ten years, serving two Afghanistan duty tours with the British Army before ending his operational duties in 2015. In addition to Harry, other members of the royal family “have official relationships with many units of the Forces.”
Drawing back to William’s new title bestowment, the timing of the news has caused speculation. Public conjecture has been swirling based on the fact that it is widely known that Harry and his father’s relationship has been tense in recent years.
“This is one of the most public rifts in the world. If it was handled in private without so much press speculation, it would have a better chance of being resolved,” asserted royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams while speaking about Harry and King Charles III.
William’s new role in the Army Air Corps and the removal of Annabel from the Duchy payroll highlight his growing responsibilities. These decisions, amid tensions with Harry, add a fresh twist to the royal family’s unfolding drama.
Desipite the tension with his brother, Prince William continues enganging with royal duties, like visiting NAtional Service of Thanksgiving in Wales.
