Prince William's decision to remove Queen Camilla's sister, Annabel Elliot, from the royal payroll highlights his intent to streamline the monarchy's operations. This change, revealed in the Duchy of Cornwall's accounts, marks the first time in nearly two decades that Elliot has not been compensated for her interior design services. Employed by then-Prince Charles since his marriage to Camilla in 2005, Elliot's removal signals a potential shift in William's approach to modernizing royal financial practices.
Sources confirmed to The Telegraph that Prince William's decision to cease employing Elliot was not a reflection of her work quality. Instead, it indicates William's broader strategy to update the monarchy and its financial practices. This move is significant given the historic complexities within the royal family, particularly around Camilla's integration.
Initially, Prince William and Prince Harry were hesitant about their father's relationship with Camilla. However, they eventually came to accept her. Omid Scobie's book, "Endgame," describes Camilla as an "anchor" for King Charles, suggesting a level of acceptance from the princes. Nonetheless, their relationship with Camilla has always been complicated. Royal commentator Emily Andrews described Camilla's relationship with the princes as "tricky," particularly since Princess Diana had portrayed her as a "marriage wrecker."
During their teenage years, William and Harry struggled with their father's public relationship with Camilla. Harry, in particular, found it challenging, reportedly refusing to see her initially. In his memoir, Harry recounted how he and William pleaded with their father not to marry Camilla, recognizing, however, that Charles was finally going to be with the woman he loved.
Camilla, who has children of her own, navigated the challenges of being a stepmother to William and Harry. Carole Malone, a current affairs commentator, noted that Camilla might have provided the emotional support the princes needed, especially after their mother's death and during times when Charles was less emotionally available.
Despite the early struggles, Prince William has shown support for Camilla in her royal duties. He was notably present during her first major outing as Queen following the late Queen Elizabeth's approval for Camilla to use the title. Sources told the Daily Mail that William was "respectful" of the title change, even though he wasn't part of the decision-making process.
William's decision to remove Elliot from the payroll could be seen as part of his broader strategy to modernize the monarchy's operations. Elliot had been responsible for the interior design of the Duchy's holiday cottages and other properties, receiving substantial payments over the years. However, the latest accounts show no payments to her for the past year, suggesting her work on the estate is considered complete.
This decision reflects a gradual shift in managing the Duchy's property portfolio. William has already implemented changes, such as earmarking properties for the homeless and committing to building social housing. Despite this shift, Elliot continues to enjoy some professional benefits from her relationship with the royal family. She was recently employed to oversee improvements at Balmoral and has worked on the King's Sandringham Estate.
Elliot's design sensibilities have always aligned with King Charles's preferences, as she once noted his extraordinary attention to detail and preference for traditional aesthetics. Despite the changes, Elliot's contributions to the royal properties have been significant, enhancing the Duchy's appeal and functionality over the years.