The head of staff recruitment for the Royal Household has shared the quirky interview technique used to identify the best candidates vying for a job working for Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales
William and Kate along with their royal children(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)
Any hopeful applicant keen to secure a position working for Prince William and Kate Middleton must pass a pretty unconventional test to have any chance of landing the role.
Job interviews are nerve-wracking enough as it is and, unsurprisingly, expectations are exceptionally high within royal households. Whether it’s the particular way King Charles takes his tea, or the appropriate clothing to wear, there are many rules and specific protocols to adhere to when working for the royal household.
And one peculiar test helps identify the truly “special” candidates. According to the royal family’s head of staff recruitment Tracey Waterman, a keen eye for detail is essential.
In Channel 5’s documentary Sandringham: The Royals at Christmas, Tracey disclosed her unconventional method for identifying the best potential 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.”
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, pictured at Royal Ascot(Image: Getty)
“Once the dead fly is placed, I then bring the candidate into the room.”
Tracey then watches whether a candidate notices the dead insect and, if they do, their reaction influences their prospects of securing employment.
She explained: “It’s a great test.” But only “one out of 10 [candidates] will actually bend down and pick [the fly] up.”
Those who do, however? They stand out from the crowd. Tracy added: “That’s the special housekeeper.”
Naturally, once employed, there are numerous other rules to abide by.
For William and Kate, many of their guidelines are intended to “ensure informality and a good work atmosphere rather than adhering to rigid royal traditions.”
William and Kate married in 2011(Image: Samir Hussein/Pool Photo via AP/2025 Getty Images)
One rule the Wales’ adhere to is a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to gossiping. They are also understood to 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.”
That said, more formal attire is expected during important meetings or when staff are making visits to Buckingham Palace.
Kate married Prince William on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London, having been in a relationship since 2003.
Following their wedding, Kate became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, while William was created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus.
On September 9 2022, Kate was granted the title of Princess of Wales after William was appointed Prince of Wales by his father, King Charles III.
Prince William’s mother, Diana, held the previous title of Princess of Wales. She tragically lost her life in a car crash in August 1997, at the age of 36.