By Tony O’Reilly-
Staff who provided personal services to the late Queen have been told that some of their jobs could be at risk under King Charles III.
The letter, from Sir Michael Stevens, keeper of the privy purse, has been sent to a number of employees which reads: “I am sure you can appreciate that these are sensitive and challenging times.”
Sources say it could include staff who provided personal services to the late Queen have been told that some of their jobs could be at risk under King Charles III.
Meetings will be held with those affected, and a letter has been sent to a number of employees informing them of consultations. Staff are being told they can contact Employee Assistance providers in the coming weeks.
The letter, from Sir Michael Stevens, keeper of the privy purse, says: “I am sure you can appreciate that these are sensitive and challenging times.”
He adds that work is underway to support staff and ensure there are “good communications” over the coming weeks.
The letter says: “Consistent with continuity, the approach on Accession is essentially that the requirements and the purpose of the Household continue unchanged following demise.
“While it is too early to confirm the position definitively, it is anticipated that only a very small minority of employees (fewer than 20) who provided personal services to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth will see their posts affected by Her Majesty’s death.
“We will be consulting with you and those affected in relation to these anticipated changes after the State Funeral. Those affected are being written to.”
The development follows last week’s revelation that up to 100 employees at the King’s former official residence, Clarence House, had been notified that they could lose their jobs.
Private secretaries, and staff in the finance office and communications team were among those who received notice during the thanksgiving service for the Queen at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on 12 September that their posts at Clarence House were on the line.
The palace said in their letters that no definitive decisions had been made but that an impact on roles was anticipated.
Mark Serwotka, the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents a number of employees in the royal households, said: “Our members are extremely disappointed and saddened by this development.
“They have worked for the Queen, intimately, for years and feel let down by the decision to let them go. They are already grieving the loss of Her Majesty – this is kicking them when they’re down.”
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Mark Serwotka, the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents a number of employees in the royal households, said staff had worked for the Queen for a number of years and felt “let down” after receiving the letter.
“Our members are disappointed and saddened by this development,” he said.
Meetings are being held with those affected and staff are being told they can contact Employee Assistance providers in the coming weeks.
He adds that work is underway to support staff and ensure there are “good communications” over the coming weeks.
The letter says: “Consistent with continuity, the approach on Accession is essentially that the requirements and the purpose of the Household continue unchanged following demise.
“While it is too early to confirm the position definitively, it is anticipated that only a very small minority of employees (fewer than 20) who provided personal services to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth will see their posts affected by Her Majesty’s death.
“We will be consulting with you and those affected in relation to these anticipated changes after the State Funeral. Those affected are being written to.”
Last week it was disclosed that up to 100 employees at the King’s former official residence, Clarence House, had been notified that they could lose their jobs.
Mark Serwotka, the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents a number of employees in the royal households, said staff had worked for the Queen for a number of years and felt “let down” after receiving the letter.
“Our members are disappointed and saddened by this development,” he said.