Scrooge has come early – staff at Buckingham Palace have reportedly been extremely disappointed to learn that this year's Christmas party is to be cancelled.
Citing the 'difficult financial circumstances' facing the country, Her Majesty has dampened staff morale by drawing a line under festive celebrations.
The 600 members of the Royal Household, drawn from three royal residences and those working on the queen's private estates, had been looking forward to attending a lavish festive celebration, accompanied by a guest, at Buckingham Palace on 13 December.
The Queen usually pays for this special event once every two years and this year's party was expected to cost around £50,000.
A Palace spokesman said, “The Queen is acutely aware of the difficult economic circumstances facing the country. It was decided it was appropriate for the Royal Household to show restraint and therefore not hold the party this year.
Despite the government’s tax breaks for staff entertainment meaning that the royals could claim the cost of staff entertainment against their tax bill, to the value of £150, including VAT, per person, the royal staff will be left out in the cold, feeling unappreciated for their hard work throughout the year.
One employee said, “It's the first time in memory the party's been cancelled. We're all devastated as it's a great night when everyone lets their hair down. The Royals mix freely with servants - it's normal to see the Queen dancing with a footman or Prince Philip waltzing with a maid. “The champagne flows like water and you feel your hard work has been appreciated. This won't go down well,” the staff member added.
Christmas party organiser, Russell Davey, notes that research into staff motivation implies that cutbacks of this nature have a negative effect on employees. Davey, who has run London-based West End Events Ltd for over ten years, says, 'It is different if the staff have never been given a Christmas party, but when it has been a regular occurrence in the past, and is suddenly taken away, it leaves a lingering despondency for a considerable period'.
'You can bet that the Queen won't be forgoing her own platinum service festivities'.
