M.ille trees, 325 different plant species and 39 acres of land making Buckingham Palace the largest and most important private garden in London. Without forgetting a boss very expert in gardening and ecologist like King Charles III, who promises to follow the daily work very closely. All responsibilities which, however, have not intimidated them hundreds of candidates who have already applied to court.
King Charles spares no expense for the new gardener
The candidate chosen by Charles III will have to work a total of 39 hours a week and will have a large team of assistants of various levels. And if the royal residences are famous for their very low annual salaries for the staff, this time the pay does not disappoint: 40 thousand pounds (about 47 thousand euros) and the possibility of residing in a courtyard apartment.
Gardens always ready for the Garden Party King’s
The new head gardener who will soon make his entrance to the court will have to supervise the maintenance operations of the gardens of the royal residence, making sure that they are ready to receive the tens of thousands of visitors expected every year, especially for i Garden Partya tradition of Queen Elizabeth that Charles intends to continue to respect. “To be successful in this role, you must also demonstrate a passion for people, not just plants“ point out the announcement.
Queen Elizabeth among the roses in her gardens, June 2021 (IPA)
The roses of King Charles
Like his mother Elisabetta and his father Filippo, Carlo also cares about his roses. And in addition to pruning trees and plants and cutting the grass in square kilometers of fields and gardens, the new garden manager of Buckingham Palace, will have to check the status of the many varieties of rose gardens, many of which were planted by the queen herself.
The ecological dream of the new monarch
But the work for the garden manager at Buckingham Palace doesn’t end there: Carlo supervises dozens of horticultural and conservation projects himself, which have the ultimate goal of enriching the biodiversity of nature surrounding the royal residence. And candidates will have to demonstrate not only that they have a great deal of experience in the field, but also that they share the same ideas as the ruler.
Carlo at work in the fields of his country residence in Highgrove (Getty Images)
King Charles: “I love talking with plants“
Charles revealed his habit of talking to plants back in 1986. He started as a child, when he grew vegetables with Princess Anne in the Buckingham Palace garden. And over the decades he has justified himself several times: “I am always happy to talk to plants and trees, but I also listen to them. I think it is absolutely crucial for their well-being“. And he added: “It happens like with your own children. For me, each tree has a particular importance“.
A picnic at Buckingham Palace (WireImage)
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