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 netizens. Annabel, 75, has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working on various royal properties under King Charles III’s direction.
Annabel’s departure comes as William begins to shape the estate’s management in his way. The latest Duchy accounts show she wasn’t paid for her services in 2023-2024, marking the end of nearly two decades of work.
The report repeated a statement from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report, which covered Charles’s last six months managing the estate and William’s first six months after inheriting it following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
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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 ($15746.44) 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 [sic].”
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The Duchy is a private estate that provides income, and funds the official and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall and his family. This place was established in 1337 by Edward III to support his son, Prince Edward, and is governed by specific charters and laws.
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The estate is managed with a focus on sustainability and community benefits, aiming to preserve it for future generations. The current Duke of Cornwall, William, does not have access to the estate’s capital and pays income tax on the profits it generates each year.
In addition to its historic significance, the Duchy offers luxury holiday cottages in beautiful period buildings across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Designed by Annabel, these interiors blend antique and modern styles. The cottages creatively use recycled materials, such as glass bottles for light fixtures and old chests for coffee tables.
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The estate emphasizes eco-friendliness, using green electricity and renewable energy heating systems. It also promotes sustainable tourism that supports local economies and communities.
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William’s decision to remove Annabel from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll has drawn mixed reactions from netizens. One user commented, “Charles put her on the payroll she wouldn’t have been interior designer if it wasn’t for her sister and I’m glad Prince William took her off payroll [sic].”
Not everyone was aware of her role, with some expressing surprise. “So he should, didn’t know she was on the payroll,” one netizen said. Another questioned Annabel’s involvement, “Why was she even on it? What does she do exactly?”
Another chimed in, saying, “Camilla’s sister, an interior designer, worked on a contract , the contract is now completed . Annabelle is 75 and is retiring [sic].” A fifth remarked, “Good. She is not his mother or aunt.”
Others found humor in the generational contrast, with one quipping, “Makes sense. I’d think an 80 yr old sense of style and a 40 year olds would be severely different. I wouldn’t hire my grandma’s interior designer either. 🤣🤣 [sic]”
Meanwhile, some saw the move as a sign of William’s prudence. One user remarked, “Prince William is very wise…,” while another expressed skepticism about his intentions, “I think William has big head now showing his true colour , who else is he going to fire 🔥[sic].”
Another downplayed Annabel’s significance in the royal family, saying, “She is now over retirement age and is obviously assisting her sister in other matters. Her work is done. No shock!, media trouble making yet again…..”
Despite being removed from the Duchy’s payroll, Annabel remains active in royal projects, including recent renovations at Balmoral. However, her company, Annabel Elliot Limited, has reportedly faced financial challenges, with a noted decline in assets over recent years.
Annabel’s company is based at her country house in Stourpaine, Dorset. This place was where she and her late husband, Simon, reportedly allowed Charles and Camilla to “hold secret meetings” while Charles was still married to the late Princess Diana.
Fast forward to recent developments, Camilla’s relationship with the royal family remains a topic of controversy. It was reported in March 2024 that Prince Harry distrusts the growing relationship between William and the Queen.
Royal expert and author Tom Quinn said, “He [Harry] really distrusts that William actually gets on rather well now with Camilla – Harry will see this as a betrayal.”
Tom also mentioned that Harry was “shocked” when William began to see Camilla not as the monster they thought she was during their childhood, but as a rather “nice woman.” He noted about the Queen, “She is exceptionally good at listening with a sympathetic ear and William has definitely warmed to that.”
Tom further explained that Harry views William’s improved relationship with Camilla as another instance of William failing to remain loyal to the family. “For Harry things have never moved on really since his mother died,” Tom said.
This strained view contrasts with William’s recent advancement, as Charles appointed him Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps last May, marking a notable shift in his royal responsibilities amidst the ongoing tensions.
The Palace disclosed the message, “In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”
According to reports, the official date for the role transfer was set for May 13 and took place at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop. This news came amid Harry’s trip to the U.K. that month.
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.”
The official website for the King and Queen of England has stated that the royal family pays soldiers, airmen, and sailors, who serve both at home and abroad, “regular visits.” They have long recognized and supported “the work of the Armed Services.”
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 removing Annabel from the Duchy payroll highlight his growing duties. These moves, amid tensions with Harry, add a fresh twist to the royal family’s unfolding drama.
