King Charles III pays staff cost of living bonus to staff out of his own pocket
King Charles III has announced to hundreds of his staff that they will be receiving a slighter plumper paycheck this month, courtesy of His Majesty himself.
Charles will be giving hundreds of lowly-paid staff – including cleaners, servants and footmen – a bonus of up to £600 (approx. $1059) from his own pocket to offset the growing strains amid the cost of living crisis in the United Kingdom.
The estimated tens of thousands of dollars of bonuses paid this month will be coming out of Charles' private income, with no taxpayer money being used.
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King Charles III will be using money from his private income to help his lowest-earning staff. Getty
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"The King is giving money out of his own pocket to the lowest earners working for the household to help them cope with the cost of living crisis," an insider told The Sun.
"It is being given on a sliding scale with those most in need and on lower wages getting the most money."
It is reported that staff earning less than £30,0000 (approx. $53,000) a year will receive a one-off payment of £600 ($1,059), whereas those earning between £30,000 and £40,000 (approx. $53,000 to $70,500) will receive a £400 (approx. $706) bonus from Charles.
Royal staffers who are paid between £40,000 and £45,000 (approx. $70,500 to $79,300) will receive £350 (approx. $617), and single people living in accommodation provided by the Royal Household will get £200 (approx. $353).
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The royals employ around 600 staff members in their palaces and residences. James Glossop/Pool Photo via AP
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Charles has been planning this surprise bonus since before his mother's death, speaking to Money Saving Expert's Martin Lewis over the British summer about how low-income earners will be affected by the cost of living crisis.
"It is to target where it is needed the most in the Royal Household and reflects the reality of the economic situation the country faces," continues the source.
"The King is very much aware of the soaring energy bills people are facing and worried about the economic wellbeing of loyal palace staff and doing what he can."
Recent figures suggest that there are 491 full-time staff members employed at the royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Windsor Castle.
Charles also employs 101 staff at Clarence House, his personal residence which he shares with Camilla, the Queen Consort.
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