King Charles knows that being a member of the royal family and attending public engagements sometimes has its downsides.
One infamous moment came earlier this year, when the late Princess Diana‘s name was called out while he and Queen Camilla were on a walkabout in Rome. And the King has just faced another awkward encounter with a member of the public…
Watch as King Charles is confronted by members of the public while at an event in Newmarket over the cost of the royal family on UK taxpayers pic.twitter.com/7pVibUT276
— The National (@ScotNational) July 22, 2025
King Charles Avoids Member Of Public’s Questions About Money
During a recent walkabout in Newmarket, someone from the crowd addressed the King and asked him: “Why does your family cost us half a billion pounds a year, Charles?” The moment was captured on video and shared on social media, and it has unsurprisingly gone viral.
The King didn’t directly answer the question and simply replied, “Ah, yes,” while continuing to walk. Things got even more uncomfortable when the same person pressed further: “Why do you only pay your gardeners minimum wage?” We admire this person’s persistence, but sadly it wasn’t rewarded with a response, as King Charles once again declined to comment and moved along.
“When will you silly people realize that your royal family is a joke?” asked one person in the comment section of an X post featuring the video. “I’d be embarrassed,” declared a second, as a third added: “Doesn’t care a jot… They’re laughing at us… And we let them!” “No answer to the questions from the public of course. Arrogant [expletive,]” slammed a fourth.
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Bombshell 'Sunday Times' Report Claims King Charles Pays Many Staff Members Minimum Wage, And Many Employees Need 'Counselling'
The member of public's comment about royal wages comes after the Sunday Times published a report that exposed some of the things that allegedly go on behind the scenes at King Charles' Highgrove residence.
The investigation revealed that many of the King's staff have complained about poor working conditions and shockingly low pay, with many of them reportedly on minimum wage.
As per the article: "By March 2022, out of 12 staff, three were on an hourly wage of £8.91, the minimum wage; two were on £9.50, the minimum wage for the following year; and one, a student, was on £8.36."
Some employees were reportedly even advised to seek "mental health support and counselling" as a result of the work environment.
One external review found that King Charles regularly sends "demanding" notes to staff written in "thick red ink," which have been described as "strikingly specific and emotional."
One anonymous worker also told the Sunday Times they're treated like "dirt" and that "there was anger boiling at the surface. Very impatient, no politeness at all." The worker added: "It was like, you should be thankful that we've given you a job, and you work for the King, the highest person in the country."
