Employees say pressured to buy wedding gift for Charles and Camilla

Sep 27, 2005, 11:23 GMT

Employees at two of Britain's royal estates claim they were pressured into buying an expensive wedding present for Prince Charles and Camilla.

Head staff - known as royal factors - reportedly collected cash from workers and retired employees at Sandringham and Balmoral for a pricey silver tray for the newlyweds.

When they came up short they allegedly wrote asking for more - and threatened to shame anyone who didn't pay.

One of the estate pensioners is quoted in Britain's The Sun newspaper as saying: "This is outrageous. We've been told to contribute to a gift not all of us want to buy. If we do not want to cough up, they threaten to give the Prince of Wales and Camilla a list of names to show who is missing.

"Basically, it feels like we are being bullied into making a contribution. I 'm sure Charles and Camilla would be horrified."

According to the report, the royal couple's April nuptials were organised so quickly there wasn't time to resolve the shortfall in the whip-round.

A factor wrote to staff this month: "The cost of the tray still exceeds the amount raised and there is sufficient time for donations to be received to ensure your name is on the list."

But royal sources insist the factor wanted to provide a list of names so the royal pair could write thank you notes.

When quizzed about the allegations a Buckingham Palace spokesman said all contributions to the gift were "completely voluntary".

He added: "We are sorry if anyone took offence."

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International