Staff at Buckingham Palace have been told that their jobs are now at risk in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's death on 8 September.
The employees, who have said they feel 'let down', were told in a letter how many of those who worked personally with the Queen could lose their jobs.
The 'very small minority' of staff were told the bad news by Sir Michael Stevens, the keeper of the privy purse, the Daily Mail reports.
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He wrote: "I am sure you can appreciate that these are sensitive and challenging times."
Stevens then attempted to reassure Buckingham Palace staff by saying that there will be 'good communication' as a 'minority' lose their jobs in the coming weeks.
The letter read: "Consistent with continuity, the approach on Accession is essentially that the requirements and the purpose of the Household continue unchanged following demise.
"While it is too early to confirm the position definitively, it is anticipated that only a very small minority of employees (fewer than 20) who provided personal services to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth will see their posts affected by Her Majesty's death.
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"We will be consulting with you and those affected in relation to these anticipated changes after the State Funeral. Those affected are being written to."
However, it is not just staff at Buckingham Palace who will be affected by the Queen's death, so too will staff at the now King Charles III's former residence, Clarence House.
They were given the news in the lead up to the Queen's funeral on 19 September.
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One staff member said: "Everyone knew this was on the cards after Her Majesty died but the fact that the letters were sent out just days after her death and during the official period of mourning was a real shock."
As reported by the Daily Mail, officials said that the 'brutal' process was going to be 'painful', but emphasised that it would be carried out within the framework of the law.
Palace sources have said they are now working to find 'as many roles' for 'as many people as possible' and this has been made 'explicitly' clear.
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Those affected by the redundancies have been informed that they will be able to contact employee assistance providers.
Tyla has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.
Topics: News, Royal Family
Emma Guinness