A decorator for the Royal Family was found hanging, an inquest has heard, after King Charles disliked one of his paint jobs.
Chris Eadie, 63, was found hanging in the garden of his Norfolk home by his partner on October 10, 2025.
Mr Eadie had worked on the Sandringham estate for over 30 years, carrying out projects for the late Queen Elizabeth II and later King Charles III.
Mark Eadie, Chris Eadie’s brother, said “perfectionism” meant his brother was often appointed to “the top jobs” within the royal household, including painting the bedroom of Prince William and the Princess of Wales.
Mark Eadie told the inquest hearing: “My brother was absolutely brilliant at his job. He had incredible attention to detail and wouldn’t let anything go unless it was perfect.”
The brother added: “He was loyal and wouldn’t talk about what he did, but I know he painted William and Kate’s bedroom and even met their children once in the garden. He said they were lovely.”
Chris Eadie was asked to paint a pagoda over a Buddha at Sandringham in colours requested by King Charles, the hearing was told, and so he painted it as instructed despite thinking the palette was “a bit garish”.
However, the monarch ordered it to be repainted, having been unhappy with how it looked.
Chris Eadie worked at the Sandringham estate for over 30 years
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Mr Eadie subsequently stripped the structure and prepared it for new colours chosen by the King, only for the final painting work to be handed to another contractor.
His brother told the hearing: “After all that detailed preparation, someone else was given the job. He was devastated.”
Around that time, Mr Eadie began losing weight after suffering from a lack of appetite, due to being convinced he may have cancer, the court heard.
Mark Eadie told the court his brother’s mental health was deteriorating whilst worrying over his physical wellbeing and Sandringham work.
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Chris Eadie’s partner told the court how he was a loving father to their two sons, but that the reduction in his Sandringham work had deeply upset him, with the pagoda incident causing a particular sore wound.
She added that she feared Mr Eadie had been considering harming himself six weeks before his death, after finding him sitting in the dark at home.
Days before his death, Mr Eadie became unusually affectionate, his partner told the court, which she now believes could have been to say goodbye.
Police officer David Norris told the court that officers were called to the address after Mr Eadie’s partner found him hanging in a small garden space and discovered a note in the house.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but were unsuccessful. Inside the house, officers found a handwritten letter and an open bottle of spirits.
Toxicology tests showed only a small amount of alcohol in his system, along with raised levels of paracetamol, though not enough to have caused his death.
A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Eadie died by hanging.
Edward Parsons, the land agent for Sandringham, said Mr Eadie had never been directly employed by the Sandringham estate but was one of many contractors used for work.
Yvonne Blake, the area coroner for Norfolk, ruled: “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.”
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
