![King Charles](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/columnists/2023/08/29/TELEMMGLPICT000347244523_16933317403170_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpeg?imwidth=680)
![King Charles](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/columnists/2023/08/29/TELEMMGLPICT000347244523_16933317403170_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpeg?imwidth=680)
When the King took the throne back in May he had seven palaces, ten castles, 12 homes, 56 cottages and 14 ancient ruins where he could hang up his crown.
Forbes, the US business magazine, put a $25 billion (£20 billion) value on his personal real estate. So forgive me for being a cynic, but when I read at the weekend that our sovereign is on an economy drive and plans “to axe 20 per cent of middle managers working for the royal household affecting dozens in a boost to drive efficiency and save money for the taxpayer” I did kind of harrumph.
Whacking a few chaps who run your wine cellars, or trim the hedges, or oversee the kitchens does not seem the best strategy for a “slimmed down monarchy”. If you are really serious about saving some pennies, how about getting rid of, or passing on, some of the palaces, castles, homes etc?
Let’s do a quick recap. Currently Charles has the houses he had before he became King – Clarence House on the Mall, Highgrove in Gloucestershire, the Queen Mother’s old place, Birkhall in Scotland of which he is said to be inordinately fond, the magnificent Dumfries House, which he has restored at massive cost in Ayrshire.
And of course, all the magnificent seats he inherited from his mother, the late Queen as well: Buckingham Palace, Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral.
What I do know because I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to a do at sumptuous Dumfries House, is that Charles likes to live in style. The grounds are astounding; landscaped vegetable gardens, heritage pigs, flower gardens which would win prizes at Chelsea and an entire wellness pavilion complex.
Not to mention the immaculately restored house itself, with its hand-made tapestries, carpets and priceless Chippendale furniture. The King is famous for his fastidious taste in everything, from compost to wallpaper to pictures (Clarence House is full of his own daubs).
That is his prerogative. He is our monarch. He is the King. But frankly, even an emperor doesn’t need that many gaffs. And certainly not a King who aspires to a “slimmed down monarchy”.
So, your Majesty, rather than sacking a few middle management minions, if you really mean it about saving cash, why don’t you offload some of the real estate?
We’ve heard you prefer living in Clarence House, so why not turn Buckingham Palace into a museum and let the people have the revenue? And maybe downsize to one Scottish stately rather than three.
Of course our King can spend his own fortune – which is pretty epic – anyway he likes. But he can’t preach economy or boast about parsimony with quite so many palaces. Maybe it’s time to take a leaf out of the European monarchies’ playbook and have just one house and a bike.
If the King wants to slim down the monarchy he should get rid of palaces, not people
King Charles is axing 20 per cent of royal household middle managers – but perhaps he could trim his vast real estate portfolio down instead