Behind Palace Walls. Cay Garcia
not walk in front of any Member of the Royal family. Either wait for them to pass or walk beside them ONLY if you are in a conversation with them.
If any Royalty comes down or goes up the stairs and you are already on the stairs, stand still, greet them and wait for them to pass then proceed.
If a Royal approaches a closed door, open the door, let them pass and disappear from sight before closing the door behind them.
If more than one Royal is walking together, there is a hierarchy from the most senior to the youngest. Greet the most senior first.
Never show your back to a Royal.
Knock before entering and wait for permission to enter.
EXPECTATIONS
Respect the Royals’ space, do not crowd them.
Do special things for your Employer.
Make things pretty and attractive for your Employer.
Do not take things personally.
You are allowed to eat on invitation from a Royal or when the Royals have finished their meals.
BEHAVIOUR
Do not chew gum when talking to a Royal.
Do not bring anything to eat or drink when accompanying a Royal.
NOTE – “Never put lip-ice on in front of royalty” should be added.
Be meticulous in everything you do.
Respect the rules and laws of the country.
Be polite at all times.
Be discreet at all times.
Maintain a fine line between friendship and professionalism.
When speaking to a Royal on the phone, wait for the Royal to hang up first.
Do not interrupt a Royal member.
Never give instructions to a Royal.
Do not gossip.
Do not lie.
Do not talk unless spoken to.
Do not yap nonstop.
Do not raise your voice to a Royal in anger or discontent even if they are wrong. Wait for them to calm down before talking to them.
Do not answer back or be rude.
Do not nag or complain.
Do not show obsessive behaviour.
You are not allowed to have a buddy-buddy relationship with the other employees.
You are not allowed to have a relationship with a driver.
You are not allowed any intimate relationships whilst on contract in Saudi Arabia.
WHEN ACCOMPANYING A ROYAL
Be ready first wearing your abaya and be on standby, holding the Princess’s abaya for when she is ready.
When accompanying a Royal, make sure the driver is informed and that the car is ready and waiting at the departure point.
Check with the gate that the driver is ready and waiting beside the car.
Ensure there is water in the car.
If the driver is not there, open and close the car door for the Royal.
Do not get into the car before the Royal is seated.
When alone with a Royal in the car, you sit in the back on the left hand side. Should there be another person with the Royal, you will sit in front with your head covered by your hijab.
Do not make frivolous and unnecessary conversation.
Make sure you smell good being in such close proximity of a Royal.
THE FOLLOWING TRAITS ARE DESIRED
Positive attitude
Understanding
Empathetic
Gentle
Caring
Loving
Compassionate
Contained
Patient
Stable
Balanced
Calm and Relaxed
Not temperamental
Not moody
Fun
Sense of humour
Know your place
Not arrogant
Not snobbish
Organised
Modern
Stylish
Class
Creative
Be well informed
The palace
WE PULL up to gates easily six metres high. Ornate brass and stainless steel make up the elaborate and intricate design. The doorman swings the gates open. He looks like Moses in a kiddies’ Bible – a messy beard hangs down to his chest. His name is Eli.
The palace grounds look spectacular as skilfully placed lights highlight the trees and shrubs and garden beds glow in the dark. The driveway curves around a Gothic fountain then splits into two around the majestic building straight ahead – the main palace. We walk the rest of the way over immaculate cobbled walkways adorned with tranquil water features. There is a strange but pleasant scent in the hot evening air that I can’t quite identify.
The main palace guards the foreground of the vast property while four five-storey villas, one for each child, form a half moon behind it. The gardens are beautiful but I am surprised that so many of the shrubs and flowers are plastic. They are clustered in places where shrubs struggle to grow. Two pools, one heated, dominate the centre of the garden, a favourite area in spring and autumn for dinners.
Halfway through the property, a high wall separates the quarters where the drivers and other male staff live. Sixteen garages for the royal car collection cover the left perimeter of the property and a mosque is situated to the right. Five times a day my princess’s father, the Amir, makes his way to this area, which is forbidden to women.
I will only meet the Amir once during my time at the palace. During my second week, while checking on the princess’s newly planted herb garden, he catches me unawares on his way to the mosque.
I am in casual clothes, with bare shoulders and not yet aware that when the Amir is present a woman’s head is required to be covered by the hijab. Now I understand why all the servants from the main palace always have their hijabs draped around their necks.
Still, he is polite. He simply asks me who I am. I put my hands behind my back and reply that I am new to princess Arabella’s staff. He gives a slight smile, nods and resumes his journey.
He is a handsome and dignified man in his early fifties who carries himself well. Even though he doesn’t introduce himself, I know that this is the royal patriarch. He has presence. I will come to learn that most of the staff are terrified of him.
I hear a strange noise coming from some shrubs at the side of the villa. A tiny kitten peeks out at me; its eyes are watery and speak of such suffering. I go over to pet the poor little thing but it runs away. I am shocked to see how thin and mangy it looks.
Mona explains that there are about seven cats on the palace grounds but feeding them is forbidden as they are there to catch rats. This kitten can’t be more than a couple of weeks old! I make a mental note to bring some cat pellets with me; if it is at all possible, no animal will be starved while I’m around.
We are met at the double wooden doors by a Filipino woman, her small frame