Prince William Cuts Ties with Queen Camilla's Relative

Inside the Royal Budget:  What This Means for the Duchy of Cornwall

Prince WilliamPhoto byGetty Images

Prince William has chosen not to renew the contract of Queen Camilla's relative. The decision, outlined in the latest annual report, highlights a transition in the royal's approach and reflects Prince William's changing vision for his future.

Prince William’s recent decision to discontinue the employment of Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, has drawn attention amid the latest report from the Duchy of Cornwall. 

Elliot, a prominent interior designer, had been a fixture in the Duchy’s operations following her appointment by King Charles in 2005. Her departure marks a significant change in the management and staffing of the royal estate.

The Duchy of Cornwall, a vast estate encompassing 130,000 acres across England and Wales, has been a source of substantial income for the heir to the throne.

The estate’s Integrated Annual Report, published on July 24, revealed that Elliot, who had been compensated handsomely for her design services over the years, will no longer be part of the royal payroll. 

The report indicates that Elliot’s services were deemed complete, with staff having learned all they could from her expertise.

Annabel Elliot, aged 75, was known for her extensive work decorating and updating the Duchy’s luxury properties, including rental cottages in Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. 

Annabel Elliot and Queen CamillaPhoto byGetty Images

Her compensation included substantial fees and reimbursements for furnishings, but the latest report confirms that no further payments are due to her as of March 31, 2024.

Prince William's decision to end Elliot’s role appears to be part of a broader review and restructuring of the Duchy’s operations since he assumed responsibility in September 2022. 

This move underscores a shift in approach under the new Duke of Cornwall’s management, as he begins to put his own stamp on the estate.

The report also highlights that Prince William received $30 million from the Duchy in his first year, a sum that supports his family’s official, charitable, and private expenditures. This financial transparency contrasts with King Charles’s previous disclosures, with Prince William choosing not to detail his tax payments.

As the Duchy continues to evolve under Prince William’s stewardship, the end of Annabel Elliot’s role signals a new phase in the management of one of Britain’s most historic estates.