King Charles’ former royal butler Grant Harrold shared his greatest memories of working at Highgrove House, which included hosting a private meal for Prince William and Kate Middleton
A former royal butler has shared what Kate Middleton is really like behind closed doors, having spent seven years working for King Charles III and his family. While some may assume the warm demeanour we see in public is part of her royal duties, Grant Harrold says the Princess of Wales is just as kind off-camera.
More specifically, the 47-year-old says a particular action she always did with staff showed her true colours. In an exclusive interview, Grant said: “She’s very sweet, she’s very easy going. What you see is what you get with her, she has a lovely way about her.
“She’s a nice girl, she is also a bit of a joker as well, she’s got a sense of humour. It’s a royal cavalcade with her. She’s pretty easy going, she’s just got a little bit about her.”
Grant went on to say that Kate also “never saw herself better than anyone else” despite her power.
The royal butler said Princess of Wales truly showed what she was like by what she did when she arrived at the Highgrove. He continued: “When she used to arrive, she’d come in the kitchen and have a catch up with us.
“She would go into the house, but she’d come in and see us first and then go into the house, which I thought was quite nice. She’s very down to earth, is what I’m trying to say, and that’s what I liked about her.”
Grant worked as a butler for King Charles between 2004 to 2011, when he was the Prince of Wales. During his stint, he also had encounters with Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry, Queen Camilla and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Launching his book The Royal Butler: My remarkable life of royal service at the Rubens Hotel, Grant dived into some of his greatest moments of working at Highgrove House.
A particular fond memory he holds is being on duty for William and Kate’s private Valentine’s meal, months after they split in 2007.
“It was just the two of them. It was really nice, quite special actually,” he told media at the event. “Even though it was a romantic dinner for them, they very much interacted with me throughout.
“Before, they weren’t [really] holding hands — it was very much William’s friend. After that, when they got back together, it absolutely changed, and it was very much them as a couple.”
Grant said he couldn’t recall specifically what they ate, but says the pair enjoyed tucking into chicken. Looking back on his time with the royals, the broadcaster went on to say it was “weird” to see William and Kate grown up.
He continued: “It’s just so weird to see them getting old, I remember when they were these late teenagers, early 20s, now they’re like me in their 40s. So, it’s so weird to see so many changes, it’s amazing.”
Grant’s book The Royal Butler: My remarkable life of royal service is available now
