King Charles's former staffer breaks silence amid growing staffing controversy
King Charles reviewed these updates through written correspondence or regular conversations with the head gardener
A former gardener at King Charles’ cherished country estate, Highgrove House, is shedding light on the monarch’s meticulous gardening protocols, just as reports surface about recent staff upheaval behind the palace gates.
Jack Stooks, who once worked on the gardens of Highgrove in Gloucestershire, spoke with Spin Genie about what it was like maintaining the estate during the King's absences, particularly during the royal family’s annual retreat to Balmoral Castle each summer.
“The King would always know what’s going on in the garden,” Stooks shared.
“That’s just the nature of the job he does, and the nature of how the royal family operates. They’ve got to stay on top of everything, otherwise, things fall apart.”
According to Stooks, royal staff were expected to keep detailed weekly diaries documenting every task and achievement.
The King reviewed these updates through written correspondence or regular conversations with the head gardener.
“There would always be two-way communication,” Stooks added. “He’d say things like, ‘Great, this has been done - but can this be done too?’”
Charles, a lifelong gardening enthusiast, purchased Highgrove House in 1980 and has since transformed the property into a celebrated example of organic landscaping.
The King personally designed the gardens to “please the eye and sit in harmony with nature,” according to Highgrove’s official website.
What is the Highgrove gardening staff controversy?
A recent Sunday Times investigation revealed that 11 of the 12 gardening staff at Highgrove have left since March 2022.
The report cited concerns over low pay and demanding expectations. Some staff were reportedly paid minimum wage, and even senior team members were among those who quit.
While PEOPLE confirms that only one formal grievance was filed out of nearly 500 staff in the 2024–2025 period, The King’s Foundation did enlist a specialist HR firm, which substantiated concerns around staffing shortages, management issues, and compensation.
In response, a spokesperson for The King’s Foundation said in a statement: “At The King’s Foundation, we take staff welfare extremely seriously and strive to be an exemplary employer."
"Our staff turnover is well below the national average, as is the number of formal grievances raised.”
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