Prince William and Kate Middleton are looking for a new housekeeper who will be helping them out at Kensington Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge insist that this new staff should be trustworthy and won't gossip about the royal family.
According to the job description, the housekeeper will be expected to "maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion" while working for Prince William and Kate. This exciting opportunity will also entail travel when necessary and the staff could also be working across other royal houses, such as Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
The royal housekeeper's job pays around $25,000 a year. The chosen staff will live at the royal residences with all meals and travel expenses with William and Kate provided for. However, the candidate must have completed a 13-month program as a Level 2 Housekeeper to successfully qualify.
Prior to Prince William marrying Kate in 2011, the Royal Household served both the sons of the Prince of Wales. When William got married, the Royal Household was divided into two, serving the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex and their wives.
According to a review of the royal household in 2011, the Kensington Palace household staff had around eight people. William and Kate likely grew their household workers' requirements when their family expanded with three growing children.
William and Kate did not take up residence in Kensington Palace until 2013, when Prince George had to attend a bigger school in London. The Cambridge family moved into Apartment 1A, which was the same house where Princess Margaret lived until her death in 2002.
Kensington Palace stands behind Hyde Park and is only a few minutes away from Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official home. It's also a public museum but it hasn't been actively accepting visitors since the pandemic lockdown.
Aside from William and Kate, the Queen's cousins -- Prince Michael of Kent and his wife, as well as Prince Edward and his wife -- live in the apartments. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are also residing in the Kensington grounds at the nearby Ivy Cottage. According to reports, there are at least 50 people living at the estate, including military offices, royal courtiers and the staff of the Kensington Palace office.
But, Prince William has been a long-time resident of Kensington Palace. In his young life, he and Prince Harry have many memories of Apartment 8 and 9, the home of Princess Diana.
While Prince William and Kate Middleton spend most of their time in Kensington because of their work, sources said that they much prefer to live in Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk.
