No one outside the Royal Family really knows the luxury of the family’s lifestyle within it.
Outwardly, they give the impression of being frugal and parsimonious, which they often are, although Princess Anne prefers to call it, “good old-fashioned Hanoverian housekeeping.”
But this frugality doesn’t apply to what they eat, drink, wear, drive, and ride their bikes.
They enjoy only the best that money can buy, even if they instruct their staff to negotiate the best deals when placing orders on their behalf.
As a family, they take luxury for granted and consider loyalty above all other virtues.
When Queen Camilla was still smoking, footmen were ordered to place silver cigarette boxes containing her favorite brand in each room. Above: Camilla smoking while traveling with the Beaufort Hunt, 1996
Princess Anne hates being driven, even by her husband, who has never been allowed to sit behind the wheel.
And as a former member of staff once commented: “The Royal Family may not always be right, but they are never wrong.”
The idea of having to take second best in anything just doesn’t occur to any family member.
The attention to detail that royalty insists on is remarkable these days.
For example, when Camilla was still smoking, lackeys were apparently ordered to place silver cigarette boxes containing her favorite brand in each room.
They also had to make sure that the matchbox holders in solid silver containers were placed upright and within easy reach with half a match removed so she wouldn’t have to search for a light.
When performers are summoned to entertain the Royal Family, they are given a seven-page document telling them how to behave.
For example, they are told that under no circumstances should they slouch or lean on bars or tables, bow ties must be the type that they tie themselves, and performers cannot speak to any member of the Royal Family unless they speak to them. first. .
The Hatchards are “invited” to provide copies of the latest books, before the official publication date and always in hardcover and unopened, as they love the feel of a new book.
Whenever Queen Camilla is expected at a private house, five minutes before Her Majesty arrives, her police call the stewardess on her cell phone to open the door.
Hatchards is “invited” to provide copies of the latest books, before the publication date, always in hardcover. Above: Charles reading a book at Badminton Horse Trials, 1980
They like to have more than one copy of each book so they can leave the one they are reading in one room and pick up the identical copy, marked by a footman or maid, on the correct page.
The same applies to movies. Television and film companies supply the Palace with the latest releases, before they are seen by the general public, so that the King and Queen can have a preview.
Royal valets are shown how to tie their masters’ shoelaces. Some have to be cross-stitched and others simply tied straight.
And all the laces have to be ironed every time you take off your shoes.
Valets keep a checklist of clothing worn on a particular day and where, so they can tell their managers if they have worn something in the same place on more than one occasion.
The King also has a fully equipped barbershop immediately above his rooms at Buckingham Palace, where his hairdresser comes once a week to touch up the royal locks.
Valet Ken Stronach in the uniform room of Kensington Palace cleaning a ceremonial sword, 1986
King Charles III’s police protection officer helps him into his coat after a visit to Luton Town Hall, December 2022.
It was once said (but never proven) that Prince Edward had fired a butler because the man was not out of the house when he returned and Edward had to open the car door himself.
The only time Queen Camilla leaves the Palace for a medical appointment is to go to the dentist in Wimpole Street, Marylebone, because there is a fully equipped surgery there.
Otherwise, doctors and nurses are summoned to wherever you are at the time.
Whenever Queen Camilla is expected at a private house, five minutes before HM arrives, her police officer calls the hostess on her mobile to open the door.
The late Queen Elizabeth never rang a doorbell in her life.
The Princess Royal hates being driven, even by her husband, who has never been allowed to sit behind the wheel.
The King’s suits, of which he has 60, cost more than £5,000 each, while his shirts, all handmade, cost £1,000 and he has more than 200, while his collar bolsters are solid gold.
His collection of ties, regimental, club and personal, amounts to more than 500.
A serving soldier based at Birdcage Walk polishes Her Majesty’s boots and shoes every day (he has 50 pairs each costing more than £2,000 at the Lobb of St James’s) and a maid hand-washes his underwear. silk as soon as you discard it.
Nothing Charles or Camilla wear is allowed near a washing machine.
It was once said (but never proven) that Prince Edward had fired a butler because the man was not out of the house when he returned and Edward had to open the car door himself.
Your driver is instructed to look forward at all times, even when the car is stopped.
It’s clear that nothing is too much trouble for the most famous family in the world.
Adapted from Brian Hoey’s 2012 book Not in Front of the Corgis, published by Biteback Publishing.