King's cousin quits his own furniture company after 40 years in mystery move

King Charles' cousin - famous furniture maker David Linley - has walked away from the company he set up 40 years ago in a surprise move.

The 61-year-old Earl of Snowdon, who was 5th in line to the throne when he was born, resigned on Friday as director of three businesses - David Linley Holdings, David Linley & Co and David Linley Furniture according to Companies House.

The Earl, whose mother was Princess Margaret, the late Queen's sister, started a carpentry workshop above a chip shop in Dorking, Surrey, in 1982.

Among his famous clients were Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger and fashion designer Valentino and his mother Princess Margaret and grandmother The Queen Mother, were among his biggest fans.

When Princess Margaret, who died in 2002, was asked by the then Prime Minister Jim Callaghan why her son had become a carpenter, she replied: "Christ was a carpenter".

It is not clear why he stood down (Getty Images)

He had famous clients (Getty Images Europe)

Documents filed to Companies House show that in June, David Linley Holdings reported a £171,000 pre-tax profit – a huge recovery from the previous year when the business sustained a £2.4million loss during the pandemic.

However, the company still had net liabilities of £4.25million.

As he built up his fortune, wealthy clients included Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger and fashion designer Valentino.

It is not clear why he quit the business he set up or why he chose to walk away now.

The Earl is now 24th in line to the throne and the first who is not a direct descendant of the late Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen Mother is introduced to baby David Linley by his proud parents Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon (Getty Images)

The line of Succession

SOVEREIGN

1. The Prince of Wales

2. Prince George of Wales

3. Princess Charlotte of Wales

4. Prince Louis of Wales

5. The Duke of Sussex

6. Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor

7. Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor

Archie is sixth in line to the throne ((Credit too long, see caption))

8. The Duke of York

9. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

10. Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

11. Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank

12. Master August Brooksbank

13. The Earl of Wessex

14. Viscount Severn

15. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

16. The Princess Royal

17. Mr. Peter Phillips

18. Miss Savannah Phillips

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Back row: Prince George; Princess Charlotte; Miss Theodora Williams; Miss Isla Phillips; Master Louis De Givenchy Front row: Miss Mia Tindall; Miss Savannah Phillips; Miss Maud Windsor (PA)

19. Miss Isla Phillips

20. Mrs. Michael Tindall

21. Miss Mia Tindall

22. Miss Lena Tindall

23. Master Lucas Tindall