Royal Decorator's Tragic Death Linked to King's Paint Job Criticism and Work Decline
An inquest has heard the heartbreaking story of a long-serving royal decorator who took his own life after becoming deeply distressed by a reduction in work and a specific paint job that King Charles requested be redone. Christopher John Eadie, known as Chris, was found deceased in the garden of his home on the Sandringham estate by his partner, Joanne, in October 2025.
Three Decades of Royal Service
Norfolk Coroner's Court was told that Mr Eadie, aged 63, had worked as a self-employed decorator at the Sandringham estate for more than thirty years. He took enormous pride in carrying out projects for the late Queen Elizabeth II and, later, for King Charles. His brother, Mark Eadie, described him as a "talented perfectionist" who lived for his work and was frequently appointed for "the top jobs" within the Royal household.
"My brother was absolutely brilliant at his job," Mark Eadie told the hearing. "He had incredible attention to detail and wouldn't let anything go unless it was perfect." He added that Chris was immensely proud of his discreet work inside royal residences, including painting the bedroom of the Prince and Princess of Wales and even meeting their children once in the garden.
The Devastating Pagoda Incident
However, one particular project left him devastated. Mr Eadie had been tasked with painting a pagoda over a Buddha statue at Sandringham in colours specifically requested by King Charles. Although Chris privately felt the chosen colours were "a bit garish", he followed the instructions precisely. The King, however, was not satisfied with the final appearance and ordered the structure to be repainted.
Chris dutifully stripped the pagoda and prepared it for the new colours selected by the monarch. In a crushing blow, the final painting work was then handed to another contractor. "After all that detailed preparation, someone else was given the job," his brother said. "He was devastated." This incident, coupled with a broader decline in work from the estate due to management changes and new contractors, deeply affected him.
Mounting Health and Mental Struggles
The court heard that around the same time, Chris had begun losing weight and suffering from a lack of appetite, becoming convinced he might have cancer. Phone conversations with his brother revealed his mental health was deteriorating as worries over both his health and his work at Sandringham mounted. His former partner, Joanna, described him as a loving father to his two sons who took huge pride in his career, but said the reduction in work after decades of loyalty deeply upset him.
Medical evidence showed Mr Eadie had visited his GP earlier in 2025 complaining of weight loss and abdominal discomfort. He was later prescribed antidepressants after reporting anxiety and work-related stress. Tragically, his medication for anxiety ran out shortly before his death, and a repeat prescription had not been requested.
The Final Days and Inquest Conclusion
In the weeks before his death, Joanna found him sitting in the dark at home and later feared he had been considering self-harm. In the days before he died, she told the court he became unusually affectionate, something she now believes was part of saying goodbye. Police were called after Joanne discovered a note inside the house and found Mr Eadie. Paramedics attempted resuscitation but were unable to save him.
In a handwritten letter, Mr Eadie apologised to his loved ones, writing: "Tell everyone I love them so much. I am sorry." Summing up, Coroner Yvonne Blake stated that worries about his health combined with work concerns had led to a significant decline in Mr Eadie's mental health.
However, she concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine he intended to end his life. Instead, she recorded a conclusion reflecting mental health deterioration, saying: "I am not satisfied that he intended to die. He had a decline in mental health and was upset about work. These things prevented sufficient clarity of mind. He took his own life but the deterioration in mental health means I am not concluding suicide." She expressed her deepest condolences to his family, describing him as a man who clearly took immense pride in his work and was deeply loved.
Edward Parsons, land agent for the Sandringham Estate, said Mr Eadie had never been directly employed by the estate but was one of many contractors used, with jobs allocated based on requirements. He confirmed that while Mr Eadie had been awarded several jobs in 2025, a decision was later made not to proceed with that work. A spokesperson for the Sandringham Estate said: "Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Eadie."
