King Charles III’s garden sanctuary is facing a crisis as almost all of his Highgrove House gardening staff have quit, citing overwhelming workloads and low pay.
At a Glance
- Eleven of twelve gardeners have resigned from Highgrove House since 2022.
- Staff departures are attributed to low wages and high demands.
- The King’s Foundation claims turnover is below national averages, despite complaints.
- Highgrove’s operating profits have doubled since 2022.
The Garden Exodus
Since March 2022, Highgrove House, the cherished private residence of King Charles III, has witnessed a mass exodus of its gardening staff. Eleven out of twelve gardeners have left their positions, including two head gardeners and a deputy head gardener. These departures are reportedly due to low wages, with some earning minimum wage, and overwhelming workloads. Staff have filed grievances about being under-resourced and constantly struggling to meet the King’s meticulous demands.
🇬🇧 “Don’t put that Man in front of me again”
11 out of 12 Private Gardeners have all quit Royal Highgrove recently – on accounts of King Charles persistent bullying.
King Charles is not a nice person. pic.twitter.com/TTvvZx2AJc
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) July 20, 2025
Highgrove House isn’t just any estate. It’s a significant public attraction, drawing over 40,000 visitors annually. The gardens are not only a reflection of King Charles’s passion for horticulture, but also a site for educational programs and charitable events. The King’s attention to detail is well-known, often leaving detailed notes and feedback, which some staff found overwhelming. This level of scrutiny, combined with low wages, seems to have driven many to leave.
Watch: “This Is Not A Good Look!” | Gardeners Quit King Charles’ Highgrove Amid Demands
King’s Foundation in the Spotlight
In a bid to address the situation, The King’s Foundation, which manages the gardens, claims that their staff turnover is well below the national average. They insist that only one formal grievance was filed between 2024 and 2025. To counteract the negative press, the Foundation has highlighted the annual pay raises of 15–19% since 2022. Despite these assertions, the reports of low morale and physical injuries among staff persist, presenting a stark contrast to the Foundation’s claims.
Highgrove has seen a significant increase in operating profits, more than doubling since 2022, and a new educational facility has been established. However, the negative media coverage and public backlash over staff welfare threaten to tarnish the reputation of both King Charles and The King’s Foundation as employers.
Implications and Future Prospects
The departure of so many experienced gardeners has led to operational disruptions at Highgrove. The loss of skilled staff could pose recruitment and retention challenges for the estate in the long run. The public outcry and media scrutiny may force The King’s Foundation to review and improve its employment practices, pay structures, and working conditions. The situation also raises broader questions about labor standards and employer responsibilities at high-profile institutions.
The impact extends beyond Highgrove, potentially influencing pay standards for horticultural staff at other heritage sites and charitable organizations. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between high expectations and reasonable working conditions to ensure staff satisfaction and retention.
