King Charles and Queen Camilla give staff a hand-signed Christmas card and personal gift each year. Photo / Getty Images
King Charles and Queen Camilla give staff a hand-signed Christmas card and personal gift each year. Photo / Getty Images
King Charles gives his staff a hand-signed Christmas card and a personal gift each year.
The 77-year-old and his wife Queen Camilla always attended the annual party for employees when he was still the Prince of Wales and other members of the family would also drop in.
After the celebrations,monogrammed presents would be handed out.
Speaking to Heart Bingo, former royal gardener Jack Stooks said: “Members of the royal family would often attend.
“The King and the Duchess were there every single year, and would mingle with the staff. Prince William and Harry – they would come and go.
“During the night, we would all get to chat to the family to get to know them a bit better.
“All of the staff would be given a gift from the King, which would be divided out at Highgrove the day following the party.
A 2022 Christmas card from King Charles and the Queen Consort, the first during his reign as monarch. Photo / Getty Images
“Previously, I was given salt, pepper and mustard cruets, tea cups and saucers, water glasses, water jugs, trays, tea plates and glasses. Most of them were decorated with the Prince of Wales’ feathers.
“For the first few years that I worked at Highgrove, we also got a Christmas pudding from the King.
“When the King got around to doing his Christmas cards, we all got a hand-signed Christmas card from himself and Camilla.”
Staff from different royal residences would attend the party at St James’ Palace, where they would enjoy a lavish dinner and special entertainment.
“When you walked up the stairs into one of the big rooms, you’d be greeted by people serving,” Stooks said. “You’d be offered something to drink on arrival and then all of the staff would mingle together.
“You might see people that you know from the office or other areas of Highgrove, and you’d all go and join in and chat to everybody.
“There would be a magician and they would go around doing card tricks with everyone or pretending to take someone’s watch.
“We would then be called in for dinner, which would be seated. There was lots of glassware on the table and we were given a Christmas cracker that would have something like the Prince of Wales’ feathers on it.
“There would also be entertainment at the dinner, like Omid Djalili the comedian or Alfie Boe.”
