After all the pomp of their wedding, Prince William and new wife Kate planned to do their own shopping, cooking and getting ready for work. But after a whirlwind few weeks of life as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, they are advertising for household servants to take care of their day-to-day needs. A source inside Buckingham Palace said, “William and Kate might have wanted to have a simple life and do everything themselves but it’s just not possible.” The royal couple does manage fine when in Anglesey, where William is based as an RAF rescue pilot. But at Kensington, things will be quite difficult to manage.
Notices have now gone up at Buckingham Palace asking staff to apply for jobs as their housekeeper, butler, valet and dresser to help as they juggle engagements. The source said, “The whole place is buzzing with excitement. Lots of people will want these prestigious jobs. The royals always like to promote existing staff rather than bring in people from outside. This is a golden opportunity for someone to be in at the beginning of William and Kate’s working and domestic lives.” William, 27, is likely to have realised how useful a valet might be on Saturday when went straight from rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in central London to the Derby race at Epsom Downs, Surrey.
The insider said, “He needed to change from his Guards uniform with a bearskin into a top hat and tails for the racing. There is so much to remember if you don’t have a valet to look after you. They will also need a butler for when they entertain.” Kate will be keen to find an excellent dresser because she is already a fashion icon whose outfits are studied and commented on around the world. Applicants for the job will have to be friendly and patient as well as being good at the job.
Kate, 29, will personally interview the applicants and will hope to appoint someone before she and William fly out to Canada on June 30 to begin their first official overseas trip. Some royal servants have risen from humble beginnings to become close confidants of the royals. The Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly is the daughter of a Liverpool docker. The 60 year old now has the lofty title of PA Adviser and Curator to HM The Queen (Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe). She has been awarded the Royal Victorian Order, lives in a grace and favour house at Windsor and drives a Land Rover. Despite their backgrounds being so different, the Queen once told her, “We could be sisters.” The Queen is so fond of Paul Whybrew, her loyal page of 25 years that he sometimes sits down to watch TV with her.
