A Royal Family decorator, Christopher John Eadie, known as Chris, took his own life after despairing over reduced work and a failed painting project which the King had asked to be redone, according to evidence heard at an inquest. He was found dead in the garden of his home on the Sandringham estate, near King's Lynn, by his partner Joanne.
Norfolk Crown Court heard that the 63-year-old, a self-employed decorator, had worked for more than 30 years on the royal estate and took immense pride in carrying out projects for the late Queen and later King Charles. His brother, Mark Eadie, said Chris’s “perfectionism” and high qualifications meant he was often assigned to “key jobs” within the royal family, including painting the bedroom of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Edp24.
But in recent years, work on the royal estate has become less frequent after changes in management and the introduction of new contractors, something that deeply affected Chris. His brother described him as a “gifted perfectionist” who lived for his work. “My brother was an absolute genius at his job,” said Mark Eadie. “He had an incredible attention to detail and left nothing unfinished.”
Chris was extremely proud to work for the Royal Family, carrying out discreet tasks within the royal residences. “He was loyal and didn’t talk about what he did, but I know he painted William and Kate’s bedroom, and even met their children in kindergarten once. He said they were very nice,” his brother added.
One particular project left him emotionally devastated. Chris was tasked with painting a pagoda over a statue of Buddha at Sandringham, in the colours requested by the King.
Although he thought the colors were “a little too much,” he followed the instructions exactly. However, the King was not satisfied and ordered it to be repainted. Chris prepared the structure for the new colors, but the final work was given to another contractor. “After all that detailed preparation, the work was given to someone else,” said Mark Eadie. “He was destroyed.”
His partner said the reduction in work after decades of loyalty had deeply upset him, while the pagoda incident became a particular source of anxiety. Six weeks before his death, she had found Chris sitting in the dark and feared he might harm himself. In the days before he died, he became unusually affectionate, something his partner believes was part of his farewell.
