Here’s why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s housekeeper has quit

And it’s not what we’d have expected…

And it’s not what we’d have expected…

It has been announced that Kate Middleton and Prince William’s housekeeper has resigned after working for the royal couple for two years.

Sadie Rice, 35, the housekeeper of their Norfolk country home has reportedly handed in her notice in the run-up to the couple’s move to London. Her step down has undoubtedly come at a bad time, with the couple supposedly looking to ramp up security and expand their household staff as they prepare for their move.

Despite working for the royal family for years, previously working at Buckingham Palace and also in Norway for the Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit, Sadie reportedly quit her current role due to the increasing demands of the position.

‘Sadie’s a hard worker but the job’s demands got too much, even for her,’ a source from the Queen’s Sandringham Estate reportedly told The Sun. ‘They wanted her to spend more time at Kensington Palace and her work was increasing all the time. She wasn’t having a normal life outside work. Sadie’s serving her notice and it seems nothing will change her mind. It’s their loss.’

News broke of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s move to London earlier this year, with the family set to settle in the autumn.

An official statement was released from their office in January: ‘From this autumn, however, the Duke and Duchess will increasingly base their family at Kensington Palace. As they have in recent year, their royal Highnesses are keen to continue to increase their official work on behalf of the Queen and for the charities and causes they support, which will require greater time spend in London.’

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.