King Charles hiring extra staff at beloved estate amid security concerns with 135 new homes planned

Ben McCaffrey
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:44:51 +0000

The King's Foundation are hiring additional staff at Highgrove Gardens, where there is an ongoing dispute over a potential new 135-home estate that could cause security concerns.

The Duchy of Cornwall acquired the estate in 1980 and it has remained in the King's possession ever since, becoming a personal favourite of the monarch's retreats.

But it recently emerged Miller Homes is targeting land between Bath Road and Longfurlong Lane on the outskirts of Tetbury, Gloucestershire, prompting residents to raise alarm over potential threats to the monarch's privacy and security.

Chris Giles, secretary of the Longfurlong Greenfields Association, warned the development could pose a grave threat to royal protection arrangements.

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"It would bring significant numbers of people living within yards of the existing close protection zone covered by Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime & Police Act 2005, which is patrolled by armed officers," he said.

Others have complained about the proposals being "crude" and "cynical".

But despite those potential plans, Highgrove Gardens is seeking a Communications Executive to join the team at King Charles's private Gloucestershire estate.

The position, advertised on LinkedIn, offers a base salary of £30,000.

Successful candidates will be tasked with creating content for the gardens' social media platforms, which currently reach 163,000 followers on Instagram alone.

"We're looking for a creative, adaptable and organised Communications Executive to join our Communications Team at The King's Foundation," the post read.

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"This is a new role based at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire. The post holder will develop content for Highgrove Gardens' social media channels - ensuring our events, workshops, gardens and education are promoted effectively on digital channels - and support with press and media activities at Highgrove.

"This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for storytelling who is looking to gain experience in a hands-on and varied role in communications."

Additional duties include promoting events, workshops and educational programmes, while providing support for press and media activities at the Tetbury residence.

The role is based at the Highgrove Estate, as showcased in Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, the monarch's Prime Video documentary released earlier this year.

The series highlighted The King's Foundation's global conservation efforts and featured several distinctive areas of the estate.

Viewers were treated to glimpses of the Wildflower Meadow and Kitchen Garden, while the King himself was filmed tending to his hens at the charmingly named Cluckingham Palace.

The nine-bedroom Highgrove House remains closed to the public for the King's personal use, yet the surrounding gardens welcome visitors for guided tours from April through October each year.

Alhough King Charles and Queen Camilla maintain Clarence House as their principal London residence, Highgrove serves as the monarch's countryside retreat, situated conveniently near Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate in Stroud.

Highgrove Estate and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have been contacted for comment.