In a surprising shake-up within the British royal circle, Prince William has reportedly dismissed a key figure from his payroll—someone with close ties to Queen Camilla and King Charles III.

Prince William has reportedly removed Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, from the  Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll, surprising netizens. According to The Telegraph on July 24, Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working under King Charles III’s direction on various royal properties.

The 75-year-old interior designer’s departure comes as William begins to shape the estate’s management in his way. The latest Duchy accounts show she wasn’t paid for her services in 2023-2024, marking the end of nearly two decades of work.

Queen Camilla and Annabel Elliot at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 21, 2007 | Source: Getty Images

The report repeated a statement from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report, which covered Charles’s last six months managing the estate and William’s first six months after inheriting it following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The statement read, “During the period to 8th September 2022 the Duchy paid Mrs Annabel Elliot, the 24th Duke of Cornwall’s sister-in-law, in the normal course of business and on an arm’s length basis £19,625 (or $25,091.25) for fees and commission and £12,316 ($15746.44) for the purchase of furniture, furnishings and retail stock for the   Holiday accommodation, Duchy offices and Duchy Nursery. At 31st March 2024 there was £nil (2023: £nil) remaining payable to Mrs Elliot in respect of these [sic].”
The Duchy is a private estate that provides income, and funds the official and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall and his family. This place was established in 1337 by Edward III to support his son, Prince Edward, and is governed by specific charters and laws.

The estate is managed with a focus on sustainability and community benefits, aiming to preserve it for future generations. The current Duke of Cornwall, William, does not have access to the estate’s capital and pays income tax on the profits it generates each year.

Along with its historic significance, the Duchy offers luxury holiday cottages in period buildings across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Designed by Annabel, these interiors blend antique and modern styles, using recycled materials like glass bottles for light fixtures and old chests for coffee tables.
Along with its historic significance, the Duchy offers luxury holiday cottages in period buildings across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Designed by Annabel, these interiors blend antique and modern styles, using recycled materials like glass bottles for light fixtures and old chests for coffee tables.

William’s decision to remove Annabel from the Duchy’s payroll has drawn mixed reactions from netizens. One user commented, “Charles put her on the payroll she wouldn’t have been interior designer if it wasn’t for her sister and I’m glad Prince William took her off payroll [sic].”

Not everyone was aware of Annabel’s role, with some expressing surprise. “So he should, didn’t know she was on the payroll,” one netizen said. Another questioned Annabel’s involvement, “Why was she even on it? What does she do exactly?”

Another chimed in, “Camilla’s sister, an interior designer, worked on a contract , the contract is now completed . Annabelle is 75 and is retiring [sic].” A fifth remarked, “Good. She is not his mother or aunt.”

Annabel Elliot at a memorial service for Rosemary Parker Bowles in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks on March 25, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

Another noted the generational contrast, quipping, “Makes sense. I’d think an 80 yr old sense of style and a 40 year olds would be severely different. I wouldn’t hire my grandma’s interior designer either. 🤣🤣 [sic]”

Annabel Elliot at a memorial service for Major Bruce Shand in St. Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, London on September 11, 2006 | Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, some saw William’s move as a sign of prudence. One user remarked, “Prince William is very wise…,” while another expressed skepticism about his intentions, “I think William has big head now showing his true colour , who else is he going to fire 🔥[sic].”

Annabel Elliot chats with Queen Camilla as she and King Charles III open a new visitor’s centre and cafe at the Duchy Nursery in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, on July 12, 2011 | Source: Getty Images

Despite being removed from the Duchy’s payroll, Annabel remains active in royal projects, including recent renovations at Balmoral. However, her company, Annabel Elliot Limited, has reportedly faced financial challenges, with a noted decline in assets over recent years.