Andrew's dogsbody: Prince advertises for £16,000 skivvy who can run a bath, help with the packing... and maybe darn the royal socks

The Duke of York is looking for a ‘hardworking’ housekeeper who must be able to sew by hand and polish his antiques.

The successful applicant should also be prepared to pack and unpack suitcases – no surprises there, for the prince is notoriously well-travelled – run baths for his guests, bring up breakfast trays and even assist with their dressing when required.

In a job description that seems more appropriate to Downton Abbey, the post also requires applicants to polish the prince’s ‘objets d’art’, change his bed linen and ‘clean and re-line’ his cupboards, drawers and wardrobes.

The Edwardian-style advertisement, running on the Buckingham Palace website, lists the new housekeeping assistant’s principal duties as:     More