Only one in 10 applicants pass Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales's unconventional job interview test, according to the royal family's head of staff recruitment Tracey Waterman. The test involves placing a dead fly in the room to assess a candidate's eye for detail.
The Dead Fly Test
Speaking in Channel 5's documentary Sandringham: The Royals at Christmas, Tracey Waterman revealed her method for identifying the finest prospective staff members. She said: "One of the tests I like to do to see if a candidate has a potential eye for detail is to place a dead fly either in the fireplace or on the carpet. Once the dead fly is placed, I then bring the candidate into the room."
Waterman then observes whether the candidate notices the dead insect and how they react. She explained: "It's a great test." Only "one out of 10 [candidates] will actually bend down and pick [the fly] up." Those who do are considered "the special housekeeper," she added.
Strict Protocols for Royal Staff
Working for the royal household comes with numerous rules and strict protocols, from the manner in which King Charles takes his tea to appropriate attire. For William and Catherine, many protocols are intended to "ensure informality and a good work atmosphere rather than adhering to rigid royal traditions," according to reports.
Zero Tolerance for Gossip
The Waleses maintain a "zero tolerance" approach towards gossiping among staff. They also favour a more relaxed dress code, particularly when staff are in the company of their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Valentine Low wrote in his book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown: "The kids run around the office, and [William] does not want it to be stuffy." However, when important meetings are scheduled or personnel are visiting Buckingham Palace, more formal attire is expected.
