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Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

Queen’s head housekeeper at Sandringham quits after staff revolt over Christmas

Queen’s head housekeeper at Sandringham quits after staff revolt over Christmas

The Queen’s head housekeeper on the Sandringham estate has quit her job after 32 years of service to Her Majesty.

Patricia Earl’s resignation comes after staff reportedly refused to stay away from their families during Christmas in order to form a ‘Covid bubble’ with the Queen and Prince Philip at Sandringham for four weeks.

This means the Royals will have to celebrate Christmas at Windsor Castle, where they are now, for the first time in 33 years instead of the Norfolk country estate.

Ms Earl was embarrassed about the revolt, The Sun reports. Buckingham Palace has insisted her departure from the estate was ‘completely amicable’.

She worked as the head housekeeper for 14 years and received the Royal Victorian Order for her work in 2018.

She is expected to leave towards the end of this month and she did not want to comment on her position when asked.


Media reported that the Queen was ‘furious’ staff would not bubble over Christmas


The Queen and Price Philip usually spend Christmas at the Norfolk estate


Previously it was reported that the Queen was ‘furious’ over staff throwing royal Christmas plans into turmoil. The rebellion was said to involve cleaners, laundry and maintenance workers.

A source claimed at the time: ‘Everybody wants to stay loyal but they feel they’ve been pushed too far by being made to isolate from their families for Christmas.’

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