Working for the Royals (Kindle Single)
£1.40
Her Majesty employs some 1,200 men and women, full and part-time, permanent and temporary in her various Royal residences with over 400 working for her at Buckingham Palace alone.
So, what is she like to work for? Is she a generous employer? Does she encourage friendliness among those whose salaries she pays or does she prefer to keep her distance? Is it true she hates her servants to have facial hair – beards or moustaches? Why do the housemaids have to vacuum while walking backwards at all times? How are the servants told to react when they meet the Queen or any member of her family? What’s the money like?
In many ways Her Majesty is a model employer, providing food, drink and accommodation, at the best address in London, to her staff, but one thing she does not offer is high wages.
So why do most of them stay for many years? This book gives all the answers from the inside.
Brian Hoey has written 26 books about Britain’s Royal Family and as a former reporter and presenter with BBC Television and Radio he has interviewed Prince Charles, Princess Anne ( whose official biography he wrote), the Duke of Edinburgh and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Hoey was a television commentator at the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 and again, sadly, in 1997 at the funeral of Diana, He has also interviewed many of Hollywood’s Royalty including; Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Ray Milland, Cary Grant, David Niven, Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons and he conducted the final TV interview with Charlie Chaplin.
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Additional information
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| File size | 4004 KB |
| Simultaneous device usage | Unlimited |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 58 pages |
by Paul Pollard
Nothing to dislike. Book full of interesting information. Find out a lot of detail of the workings of the Royal Family.
by ACB(swansea)
Brian Hoey has written a revealing account of the machinery of monarchy focussing on Buckingham Palace. It reveals the upstairs/downstairs rigid hierarchy, and that is just amongst the servants who exhibit more snobbery than the aristocracy they serve. The Royal Household decorum is explained with many items of factual information, laced with anecdotes, many amusing. George III bought the palace for £28,000 in 1762. When Edward VIII took residence there was only one bathroom, much to his amazement. Now there are 98. This is a short book of tremendous interest to anyone who wishes to know more of the goings-on behind the walls of the largest and most expensive privately owned home in the world.
by G. B. Pattinson
An enjoyable read, clearly explaining the various roles within the royal household. Entertaining and informative, the author has certainly done his homework.
by padds
Interesting reading what the various ranks and roles are in the household and who gets these roles etc and about some of those who have held it. But a wee bit dull, good for a factual read between novels.
by GK
Good short read but it contained several typos and spelling mistakes.
It is also already outdated. Prince Harry was still single when this was written.
And both the queen and Prince Phillip have since died.
It does contain some interesting insights and it is worth a read if you are interested in what life is like working for the royals.
by Dave Jenkinson
Working for the Royals. Very good indeed just a pity it wasn’t much longer but even as relatively short as it was it did highlight what an outdated medieval system we have and one wonders how long it will go on but whilst it perpetuates the privileges enjoyed by the so called aristocracy/upper classes it will remain.
by Ray
An interesting read….good value.
by arctic monkey
A short little book but I found it interesting. I knew it wasn’t a long book before I bought it but I think the subject matter upped the price to more than I would normally pay for such a quick read. However I feel it was worth it. Well written by a well known jounalist and royal commentator. One for the royal enthusiasts.