King Charles handing lowly-paid staff a bonus out of his own pocket to help during cost-of-living crisis

THE King is handing lowly-paid staff a bonus out of his own pocket to help them survive the cost of living crisis.

Charles has told hundreds of workers, including cleaners, servants and footmen, they will receive up to £600 on top of this month’s salary.

AFP

King Charles is handing lowly-paid staff a bonus out of his own pocket to help during the cost-of-living crisis[/caption]

The bonuses totalling tens of thousands are from his private income and no taxpayers’ money is being used.

It will help members of the Royal Household pay their heating bills and cope with extra mortgage payments amid recession fears.

Charles, when Prince of Wales, had private talks with MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis over the summer about how ordinary people are set to be hit by rising prices.

An insider said: “The King is giving money out of his own pocket to the lowest earners working for the household to help them cope with the cost of living crisis.

“It is being given on a ­sliding scale with those most in need and on lower wages getting the most money.

“It is to target where it is needed the most in the Royal Household and reflects the reality of the economic situation the country faces.

“The King is very much aware of the soaring energy bills people are facing and worried about the economic wellbeing of loyal palace staff and doing what he can.”

Staff earning less than £30,0000 a year will pocket £600 in a one-off payment to ease the cost of living crisis.

Those on between £30,000 and £40,000 will receive £400 extra in their pay packet.

And royal workers who are paid between £40,000 and £45,000 will see £350 extra in their bank this month.

Single people in accommodation provided by the Royal Household get £200 of help.

According to figures released this summer, there were 491 full-time staff at the occupied royal palaces, which include Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Windsor Castle.

The King also employs 101 staff at Clarence House.

His coronation in May is expected to be scaled down amid the cost of living crisis.