Royal Repair Shop! King Charles seeks ‘craftsperson’ to help maintain historic Sandringham Estate

• King Charles III is looking for a ‘craftsperson’ to maintain the estate in Norfolk 
• READ MORE: King Charles plans to axe twenty per cent of middle managers working for the Royal Household

King Charles III is looking for a craft-savvy worker to maintain his historic private retreat Sandringham House to the highest standards.

According to a job posting on the Norfolk estate’s website, the royal, 74 – who last year appeared in a special episode of The Repair Shop – is looking for someone more qualified than the average odd job person. 

The successful applicant would need to show ‘demonstrable ability and experience’ in traditional building maintenance, conservation and sympathetic repairs.

The ‘craftsperson’ will be a professional member of a wider team, and will have to ‘strive to maintain this historic and valued residence for current and future generations of the monarchy’.

No salary is listed, but ‘a generous package is offered, including competitive salary and pension’. 

King Charles III (pictured in May) is looking for a craft-savvy worker to maintain his historic private retreat Sandringham House to the highest standards

The job specification wants someone with a ‘detailed, working knowledge of historic building construction and maintenance’, who would have experience in painting and decorating historic surfaces.

They would also need a background in ‘repair and installation of decorative wall coverings’ as well as ‘gliding, drag painting’ and other traditional practices.

Also desired is knowledge of what it’s like to be part of a maintenance team, work with subcontractors, and relevant legislation.

The craftsperson will be expected to work across the 20,459-acre Royal estate at Sandringham which the King inherited on the death of his mother the Queen on September 8 last year.

Application should be made before October 1. 

The estate which includes farms, forestry and tenanted properties has been privately owned by the Royal Family since it was purchased by Queen Victoria as a home for the then Prince Albert in 1862.

The King took over the management of the estate in 2019, after his late father Prince Philip retired from public life, and has since turned it totally organic.

It comes following reports that the monarch is planning to axe an estimated one in five of his middle-management staff to boost the Royal Household’s efficiency, according to The Mail on Sunday.

According to a job posting on the estate’s website, the royal, 74, is looking for someone more qualified than the average odd job man

The estate which includes farms, forestry and tenanted properties has been privately owned by the Royal Family since it was purchased by Queen Victoria as a home for the then Prince Albert in 1862

Charles and Camilla are said to be dismayed by what they believe are too many staff doing similar jobs.

Nearly a year into his reign, the King is also weary of senior courtiers telling him: ‘But that’s how the Queen did it.’

The cuts will hit Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Windsor Castle and Balmoral – which employ hundreds between them – and form part of the King’s long-held ambition to streamline and modernise the Monarchy. Dozens of workers could be affected.

For years, a leaner Monarchy with fewer working Royals – potentially seven rather than 11 – has been a priority. But the King realises this involves staff reductions. He is said to be acutely conscious of the financial burden a vast household places on the taxpayer.

‘There is a real feeling that the staffing at all the palaces is too heavy,’ said one insider. ‘There are far too many assistants to assistants. The King and Queen would prefer to pay people proper wages top to bottom but have less people.

‘For instance, there are chefs for them and chefs for the staff. Why, they ask, can’t there be one lot of kitchen staff for everyone?’

Charles and Camilla (pictured in June) are said to be dismayed by what they believe are too many staff doing similar jobs

Camilla has made it clear that ‘a levelling-up of Royal staff’ is needed. She will have a key role in overseeing any changes. ‘Her Majesty cannot abide too many people doing the same jobs. Senior housekeeper, executive housekeepers and juniors,’ said a source.

She has raised the matter with the Master of the Household, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.

Last month the King was welcomed to Balmoral by a guard of honour for the first time since he came to the Throne as he took up residence there for his summer break.

Although it was his mother’s favourite residence, it does not find the same favour with Camilla. The Mail on Sunday has been told that she has made a conscious decision to stay at nearby Birkhall, the home she has shared with Charles for years in Scotland, because she cannot abide Balmoral’s ‘flummery’.

A source said: ‘She is dipping in and dipping out while the King is staying at Balmoral. She is staying at Birkhall where she has a limited number of loyal staff – her people.’

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