According to recent reports, in a surprising shake-up within the British royal circle, Prince William has dismissed a key figure from his payroll—someone with close ties to Queen Camilla and King Charles III.
Prince William has reportedly removed Queen Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll, making netizens surprised. According to The Telegraph on July 24, Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working under King Charles III’s direction on various royal properties.
The 75-year-old interior designer’s departure comes when Prince 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 de:ath.
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].”
As a private estate, The Duchy provides income, and funds the official and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall and his family. This place was established by Edward III in 1337 to support his son, Prince Edward, and is governed by specific charters and laws.
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 period buildings across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Designed by Annabel, these interiors blend antique and modern styles, using recycled materials like glass bottles for light fixtures and old chests for coffee tables.
The estate focuses on eco-friendliness, using green electricity and renewable energy heating systems. It also promotes sustainable tourism that supports local economies and communities.
William’s decision to remove Annabel from the Duchy’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 Annabel’s 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, “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.”
Another noted the generational contrast, 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. ”
Meanwhile, some saw William’s move as a sign of 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 .”
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…..”
Though Annabel was removed from the Duchy’s payroll, she 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.