Working for the royal family at Kensington Palace sounds like a dream job. However, it presents its own set of unique challenges for employees. A former staffer documented his and others’ experiences working for the royal family and the shocking secrets they unveiled.

Prince William is reportedly prone to tantrums like King Charles

Tom Quinn, author of the book Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, claimed Prince William shares one character flaw with King Charles. Both men are prone to tantrums.

Quinn writes it is typically up to William’s wife, Kate Middleton, to corral her husband. She has a particular insight into how to get the best out of her husband of 13 years.

“I don’t know where William would be without Kate,” explained a former palace employee to Tom Quinn. “She hasn’t had everything done for her throughout her life. So she calms him down when he gets a bit fractious. She said he sometimes has to be treated as her fourth child.”

This character trait thus mirrors the behavior of William’s father, King Charles as seen by Kensington Palace staffers. He famously threw a tantrum shortly after becoming King in September 2022.

Charles signed a visitor’s book at Hillsborough Castle, near Belfast as cameras captured his every move. He reacted angrily after the pen he was using leaked on him. “Oh God, I hate this (pen)!” Charles said, (per The Guardian). “I can’t bear this bloody thing … every stinking time,” Charles said as he walked away.

Kensington staff say Prince William would have never been allowed to marry Meghan Markle

Tom Quinn reported a former Kensington Palace staff member claimed Prince William would have never been able to marry Meghan Markle. However, like his father before him, William had to pick a woman who had no past, was malleable to royal customs, and would put the needs of the royal family first.

King Charles found that in Princess Diana. Prince William chose Kate Middleton to be his bride and the United Kingdom’s future queen. But as Prince Harry would likely never have the opportunity to ascend to the top job, he had more freedom to marry whomever he chose.

Per Tatler, the book quotes a Kensington Palace staff member who states, “I can tell you that if William had wanted to marry Meghan Markle, it would’ve been a step too far. [But] Harry was never going to be king.”

Prince William, Prince Harry’s vicious nicknames for Camilla Parker Bowles

Prince William and Prince Harry saw Camilla Parker Bowles as the other woman in King Charles’s life before finally accepting her. Thus, Harry and William initially viewed Camilla as the woman who came between their parents, Princess Diana and Charles.

For years, tensions lingered as they struggled to accept her role in their father’s life. However, over time, both princes gradually adjusted to her presence, with William forming a working relationship with her, while Harry remained more distant.

But that didn’t mean that they didn’t speak of her privately when they thought no one could hear. According to Tom Quinn, Kensington Palace staffers often heard William and Harry call Camilla vicious nicknames.

She was labeled “Lady Macbeth,” the “Witch of the West,” and “Cruella de Vil.” All of these characters share the traits of being iconic female villains known for their ruthless ambition, cunning manipulation, and unapologetic pursuit of power or personal desires.

Kensington Palace staffers are the eyes and ears of the palace. Out of respect for the royal family, most remain silent while others, share their experiences as a way for royal fans to get an inside look behind the palace walls.