Queen hands servants a bumper pay rise for their hard work at the royal weddings and Donald Trump’s state visit
ROYAL servants were “over the moon” on Monday night after the Queen handed them a bumper pay rise of four per cent.
Staff have also been given one day of extra holiday to reward the extra hard work they put in over the past year to host the royal weddings of Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie, and the state visit of US president Donald Trump.
A royal insider said: “The staff are cock-a-hoop. It’s the best rise we’ve had in years.
“For too long the courtiers have relied on loyalty and the fact the staff love the Queen and have such respect for her.
“But they’ve lost a lot of the perks that used to compensate for such low pay and people have been struggling, so this will really help.”
Footmen, housemaids, butlers and valets have traditionally been badly paid, while the Queen’s income from the Sovereign Grant has increased in recent years and will be £82 million this year.
A memo to all royal staff said those earning under £56,375 will be eligible for the pay hike, which will be backdated to April.
The lowest paid 400 staff working at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Sandringham will all benefit.
The royal source added: “Staff used to get all sorts of perks written in their contracts.
“There were free rooms, free soap and they were even allowed to finish up the dregs of wine and spirits left over from state banquets.
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“But it’s all been stopped. The feel good factor went and there had been an air of despondency among staff, but at last this rise has lifted everyone up.”
Last night a Buckingham Palace source confirmed the pay rise and extra holiday had been granted.
They said all employers would receive a 1.5 per cent cost of living increase, while employers who received a positive performance review would be eligible for the additional 2.5 per cent.
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