Servants and staff at Chateau Peak

(Year 230, Spring) The royal palace, Chateau Peak at The Pinnacles in Del Sol Valley, is quite small-scale compared to the main seat of most kingdoms. Still, with its 3 floors and 81 rooms plus towers, greenhouse and basement facilities like vaults, kitchen, sewing & laundry, storages and servant accommodation quarter - it certainly depends on a huge staff.

At the moment only TRH King Tarriot and Queen Venezia, and their twins, Prince Cecil and Prince Marcuz, reside at Chateau Peak. Crown Princess Emireza and Prince Bazillimus are both in boarding school at Dresden in Windenburg, and Prince Cecil is said to join them this Fall. With only 3 main house members present the daily tasks won't require as many servants as before, but their official schedule will of course still be as busy as before.

Yesterday the press was surprised by the palace sharing a photo taken on the first wok day of this new year, featuring most of the regular staff:

The core staff at Royal Palace, Chateau Peak. Photo taken in Mazaloom Grand Hall. Left half represents the indoor key functions, while right half represents key functions of Royal Guard and security.

Most of the key servants were educated at the Butler Academy. In addition there are numerous assistants that will step in on request.

Pictured are (front row, left to right): 1. Royal Palace Chef Tommy Rash (51), 3. HRH the Queen's Personal Attendant Lady Constance Flemming (56), 5. HRH the King's Personal Attendant John Kegg-Gregor (69), 7. Head Butler Lord Collin Rubbernoos (51), 9. Royal Chief Attendant Ms Patricia Maiden (52), 10. Royal Guard Officer Robert Calves (60), 12. Royal Guard Major #1 Vincent Hugo Edvin de Croismare, Baron of Man (43), 14. Royal Guard Major #2 Stian Pratt-Andersson (55), 16. Royal Guard Major #3 Ralph McKottin (56), 18. Royal Guard Major #4 Alan Pudding (49).

(back row, left to right): 2. Palace Gardener Robbiam de Buttercups (42), 4. Palace Maid #3 Penelope Rumbleton (32), 6. Palace Maid #2 Ms Elisabeth Marble (40), 8. Palace Maid #1 (Head Maid) Richard dePill (44), 11. Royal Security Major Ben Harper (58), 13. Security Guard #1 Kenneth Yardstock (50), 15. Security Guard #2 Linda Orwing (54), 17. Palace Chauffeur Hugo Larsen (51).

If you think this looks like a very small group of helpers, you are of course right. Servants are hired by the Mazaloom Royal Trust, but generously supported financially by stately contributions. But reality bites. The palace is currently dealing with an ongoing cost cutting process, which is bad news to some of the many employees. Most groups of servants were already downscaled as the entire household is reorganized to match a smaller budget. Especially the number of palace maids, butlers, gardeners and kitchen staff was radically reduced, with the intention of rather bringing in extra hands temporarily for special events or periods with a larger household or busier seasons. It means more responsibility on the hands of the Royal Chief Attendant (9) and the Head Butler (8).

Only four employees have so many daily tasks that it might be more convenient for them to live at the palace periodically. This includes the Royal Chief Attendant (9, in charge of all employees), the Head Butler (8, in charge of personal attendants, kitchen and maids), the Palace Cook (1) and the Royal Governess (currently not hired) when there are younger members of the household. All servants can reserve accommodation for shorter busy periods, they will then get a room either in the downstairs servants quarter, or at Panter House at Mirage Park. Many of them have their own household elsewhere - in other regions even.

Also Crown Princess Emireza would normally have a Personal Attendant, but that person will not be hired until the Crown Princess graduates from High School and University, returning to reside at the palace.

The Royal Guard Chief Officer (10) oversees both the Royal Guard and security. The Royal Guard has 4 Majors each overseeing a troop of 8 Guardists, actually provided by the Military. Security is handled locally, and staff will vary, also including hired services. Even the Royal Guard has been shrunk from 5 to 4 units.

Only Royal Chief Attendant and Royal Guard Officer report directly to the Monach.

All employees are ranked according to their servant status and within most groups it is possible to climb. The new organization includes only 3 Palace Maids working full hours, they will climb from #3 to #1 as the positions open, meaning Palace Maid #1 will have more responsibilities and will normally be the maid working the longest for the Royal family. Using this system do assure head servants with more experience, but it also makes things easier regarding security as a new servant will rarely start in a top position close to the Monarch. Royal Guard Officer might advance to Royal Chief Attendant, and Head Maid (Palace Maid #1) might apply for the Head Butler position, but only with the relevant education from the Butler Academy, of course.

Traditionally the employees are seen as higher ranked the closer their daily routines are to the royal family members. Some of them worked in the palace for decades, often climbing in ranks within their group.

If you want to learn more about the employees, including link to their individual BIO pages, please go to the online Company Index.