Staff at Prince Charles' country estate operate in an old-fashioned environment where racist jokes are still tolerated, a former personal secretary to the heir to the throne has told an employment tribunal.
Elizabeth Burgess, who is black, is claiming damages from the Prince, saying she suffered racial and sexual discrimination while employed at Highgrove in Gloucestershire. Burgess, who resigned her post in March after 10 years, also claims breach of contract and unfair dismissal.

There are no allegations that the heir to the throne was involved in any way, or that he even knew about burgess' complaints at the time. Lawyers for the Prince deny the allegations.
Burgess, 39, who worked at Highgrove for 10 years, said on one occasion she was called a ‘Nigger’ by Charles' valet, Michael Fawcett. When she tried to complain, her superiors said that there was no point because Fawcett was a favorite of the Prince.
“They wanted a white face at Highgrove and I was not that face,” she told the tribunal. The prince's staff were from the old school ... “They have not really taken to black people. “
“There were always black jokes and names going round - because it is the royal family it is still very protected. It has its own rules and regulations,” she said.
Bureau Report