Queen's staff left worried by coronavirus pay cut as email 'went down like a lead balloon'
NEWS the Queen's finances are being badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic have left staff at the Royal Household worried, a source has revealed.
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The Queen's most senior officer at the Royal Household warned staff at the royal residences emergency measures had to be adopted to patch up the financial hole left by the coronavirus pandemic. But this communication, sent by the Lord Chamberlain to staff via email, badly hit some members of the Royal Household staff, according to a source.
They told The Sun: “Many staff are loyal and will do what they do for a pay cut.
"But the email went down like a lead balloon".
The email sent by Earl William Peel, the current Lord Chamberlain, was first published earlier this week.
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In his message, seen by The Sun, the Lord Chamberlain said: "The crisis has already tested our resilience, adaptability and preparedness in many ways and at all levels across the organisation.
"It has also had a significant impact on the activities of the whole Royal Household.
“Although the UK appears to be over the peak of infections, it remains unclear when measures such as social distancing will come to an end.
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“We must, therefore, assume it could still be many weeks, if not months
before we are able to return to business as usual.
“There are undoubtedly very difficult times ahead and we realise many of you will be concerned.
“The Royal Household, like most organisations, is not immune to the impact of the pandemic on our financial position.
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“Many projects have been halted and all but essential expenditure has been suspended.
“A recruitment freeze has been implemented and no new posts will be appointed unless a very clear business case exists.
“This year’s annual pay review has also been paused.”
Buckingham Palace is one of the attractions most favoured by tourists every year.
But the coronavirus pandemic, the European lockdown and the social distancing measures will make it impossible for the State Rooms to be opened to the public this summer.
Similarly, other royal attractions managed by the household such as the Queen’s Galleries to Windsor Castle and Clarence House are to remain close for the foreseeable future.
These closures, according to The Sun, will see the Queen losing as much as £17.8 million this year.
Tourism earned the Royal Household more than £70million in 2019.
Speaking about the financial troubles presented to the Crown by the coronavirus pandemic, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The whole country is very likely to be impacted financially by coronavirus and the Royal Household is no exception.
"However, the time to address this issue will be when the full impact of all the implications of the current situation is clearer.
"At the moment the attention of the Royal Household is on ensuring it follows all the guidelines and supports the national effort in combatting COVID-19."