THE QUEEN is looking for a new gardener for Buckingham Palace who will receive a wage of £14,950 per year for a 40-hour week, which is about £7.20 per hour, well below the London Living Wage rate of £8.30 an hour.

For that low level of pay, Her Majesty expects the successful job applicant to be of “the highest standard” and be a bit of an expert on the environment or “always looking to improve practices with regard to environmental, conservation and efficiency issues” as the advert puts it, not to mention become a friend to Buck House animals, or “assist in the development of the wildlife in the gardens”.

On top of all that, the gardener needs to be able to organise a posh do.

“The [garden] team also works closely with other Departments regarding the use of the gardens/grounds for a range of events throughout the year, including the Garden Parties and the Summer Opening of the Palace to the public,” reads the ad.

The low level of pay the Palace offers its gardeners is in line with its treatment of butlers, who pull in £15,000 a year for a 45-hour-a-week job, barely above the minimum wage.

The Queen is one of the richest women in the world, with an estimated fortune of £500m, not including the crown estates, royal residences and so on.

Those keen to apply for the gardening position at Buckingham Palace have until 25 October to send in their applications.