King Charles faced backlash just days after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, when around 100 Clarence House staff were handed redundancy notices. Many had worked for him for decades and felt the timing—during a period of mourning—was abrupt and “heartless.” Some believed they would transition into roles in his new household at Buckingham Palace, which was not the case for many.
The staff affected were part of departments like communications, finance, and private secretaries, whose roles were no longer needed due to the shift in royal operations. While Charles’ close aides retained their positions, others expressed outrage at being let go while working tirelessly during the royal transition.
Despite the criticism, a former staffer recently defended the King, describing him as “extremely well prepared,” respectful, and diligent, though he expects high standards and doesn’t “suffer fools.” They emphasized that Charles is professional and serious about his duties—even while undergoing cancer treatment during his summer stay at Balmoral.