When then-prince Charlesโ affair with Camilla was made public, all eyes were on the royals. Among the rest, this revelation provoked the anger at Charlesโ children, Prince Harry and Prince William.
At the beginning, their relationship with the new woman in their fatherโs life was a far cry from perfect. However, over time, she earned their respect, especially Williamโs.
Recently, however, it was revealed that William made a decision that may not sit quite well with Queen Camilla. As per reports, he removedย Queen Camillaโs sister, Annabel Elliot, from the payroll once he took over the Duchy of Cornwall.
Over the past 20 years, Elliot, who is an interior designer, has been paid hundreds of thousands of pounds. She was first hired by King Charles as chief designer of his estatesย back in 2005, following his marriage to Camilla.
According to the latest Duchy accounts, Elliot hasnโt received a payment for her services for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The statement from the Duchyโsย 2024ย annual report, stated, โDuring the period to 8th September 2022 the Duchy paid Mrs Annabel Elliot, the 24th Duke of Cornwallโs sister-in-law, in the normal course of business and on an armโs length basis ยฃ19,625 (or $25,091.25) for fees and commission and ยฃ12,316 ($15746.44) for the purchase of furniture, furnishings and retail stock for the Duchy of Cornwall Holiday accommodation, Duchy offices and Duchy Nursery. At 31st March 2024 there was ยฃnil (2023: ยฃnil) remaining payable to Mrs Elliot in respect of these [sic].โ
Despite this decision regarding the Duchy of Cornwall, Elliot has not been fully removed from royal projects. In fact, she was hired to oversee improvements to the visitor centre and restaurant at Balmoral before it opens for the public this summer.
As per the Palace, Elliotโs services would be required when there are โappropriate opportunities.โ
Elliot has run her companyย Annabel Elliot Interior Designย and Antiquesย in Dorset for more than 30 years, becoming the fifth most influential female interior designer in the UK in 2014.
In 2012, Elliot ran a project to convert a โrun-down barn buildingโ into an elegant guesthouse on the grounds of Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, becoming Charlesโ chief interior designer.
The reactions from the public following Williamโs decision to drop Elliot from payroll have been mixed. โCharles put her on the payroll she wouldnโt have been interior designer if it wasnโt for her sister and Iโm glad Prince William took her off payroll [sic],โ someone commented. โSo he should, didnโt know she was on the payroll,โ another added. A third wrote,ย โWhy was she even on it? What does she do exactly?โ
There were also those who praised Elliotโs work as an interior designer. โCamillaโs sister, an interior designer, worked on a contract , the contract is now completed . Annabelle is 75 and is retiring [sic].โ
Elliot has been married to husband Simon Elliot since 1972 and they share three children together, including Ben Elliot, a businessman and fund-raiser for the Conservative Party who served as Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party from July 2019 to September 2022.
She and Queen Camilla are extremely close.
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