King Charles, Queen Camilla face fresh allegations

King Charles and Queen Camilla are seemingly being dragged into a new controversy after the salaries of top two members of staff were disclosed in the annual Sovereign Grant Report.

The newly crowned King, 74, and his 75-year-old wife have been accused of launching a "kick in the teeth" at staff as a row erupts over two staff members' pay. 

The annual report, released last month, revealed that the King's male private secretary is paid more than double the salary of Queen Camilla’s female top aide.

As per reports, which sets out taxpayer-funded expenditure, shows that Sir Clive Alderton is paid between £205,000 and £210,000, while Sophie Densham receives somewhere between £90,000 and £95,000.

Speaking out about the pay gap, a former senior courtier said: "I’m really shocked by the disparity and I’m astonished by Sophie’s salary — that is a kick in the teeth."

They described Ms Densham, who is a mother in her forties, as "a real grafter" and regarded her royal role as a "massive [and] bloody busy job".

It has been reported by The Times that Ms Densham is "almost always by Camilla's side on official engagements", whereas Alderton only attends the King's "most high-profile outings".

A royal source, according to Express UK, who also knows both staff members well, said: "Whether you think there’s a disparity in the pay because of their sex, rather than their seniority, there is a question there."