In a royal shake-up that's got everyone talking, Prince William has decided to remove Queen Camilla's sister, Annabel Elliot, from the royal payroll after two decades of impressive service. According to reports from The Telegraph, Annabel had been working as an interior designer for the Duchy of Cornwall, a role she took on in 2005. Her position came from King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, appointing her to lead the design and renovation of his estates after his marriage to Camilla. Since then, she's been a cornerstone of the royal estates' aesthetic direction, pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars for her keen eye as an interior designer.

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From sprucing up the Duchy holiday cottages to maintaining the opulence of the royal rental properties, Annabel's touch has been everywhere. Her compensation varied annually, ranging between $25,000 and $106K, reflecting her pivotal role within royal estate management. Yet, the most recent fiscal records for 2023-2024 show a surprising turn: she wasn't paid for her services, suggesting a significant change in her professional engagement with the royal family.

Not About Dissatisfaction

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Sources close to the royals reveal that the decision to cut ties on the payroll front wasn't a critique of her work—which has always been highly esteemed—but rather a sign that her role had naturally reached its conclusion. The current staff at the estates are now deemed fully equipped with her expertise to carry forward the legacy of her design work.

Interestingly, while her regular payments have ceased, the royal family hasn’t severed all professional ties with Annabel. She was called upon to oversee major upgrades at Balmoral's restaurant and visitor center, ensuring the public spaces would dazzle guests under her skilled supervision this summer. Buckingham Palace insiders also hint at future collaborations, noting that she will still be a go-to for special projects aligned with "appropriate opportunities."

Duke of Cornwall

While Annabel has remained tight-lipped about the change—declining to comment when approached by Page Six—this move comes as part of Prince William's broader responsibilities after inheriting the Duchy of Cornwall estate. Alongside the Duchy, he also now holds the title of Duke of Cornwall, which brings with it substantial financial benefits. Reports indicate that the estate paid the prince a hefty $30 million during the 2023-2024 financial year, underscoring the significant wealth and responsibility he has inherited since King Charles ascended to the throne.

Annabel's two-decade stint as a royal designer has come to a close, and while it may mark the end of an era, it also ushers in a new chapter for the royal family's ongoing saga of personal and professional transformations. With her proven design prowess and the royal family's evolving dynamics, it's clear that while her payroll status has changed, her regal touch will continue to leave its mark when needed.

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