Royal Staff Share Insights on Monarch’s ‘Little Bursts of Irritation’
A new book by journalist Tom Quinn has shed light on King Charles’ well-known attention to detail and moments of frustration, revealing that the monarch can “lose his temper in a split second” if his preferences are not met.
The 76-year-old King, while generally treating staff well alongside Queen Camilla, is described as having “little bursts of irritation” over minor inconveniences, which he often regrets shortly after.
The book, Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, released on February 18, provides a glimpse into life behind palace doors, detailing Charles’ insistence on precision in daily routines.
Among his reported demands are perfectly polished shoes, toothpaste applied to his brush in a specific manner, and even a preference for being handed the “right teacup.” A former servant shared:
“Charles and Camilla do treat their staff well, but you always feel that they would no more fly without an aeroplane than invite you to have tea with them. And Charles does have little bursts of irritation with his staff—perhaps he hasn’t been given exactly the right teacup, perfectly polished shoes and toothpaste neatly squeezed on to his toothbrush in exactly the way he likes it. He loses his temper in a split second but usually quickly regrets it.”
The King’s public frustration has been noted before. In 2022, while signing the visitors' book at Hillsborough Castle, he was caught on camera expressing annoyance over a leaking pen, exclaiming, “I can’t bear this bloody thing.” During his coronation, he was seen gesturing for an aide to move an ink pot and, according to lip readers, complained about timing delays while waiting in a coach outside Westminster Abbey.
The book offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of royal life, highlighting Charles’ meticulous nature and moments of irritation that have occasionally surfaced in public view.
