EXCLUSIVE: King Charles’ former royal butler reminisced about his most memorable moments at Highgrove House, which included hosting an intimate meal for Prince William and Kate Middleton
11:56, 03 Sep 2025Updated 14:06, 03 Sep 2025
Prince William and Kate Middleton have been married since 2011
A former Royal butler has revealed what Kate Middleton is truly like away from the public eye, having worked for King Charles III and his family for seven years. While some might think the warm persona we witness publicly is simply part of her Royal role, Grant Harrold insists the Princess of Wales is equally gracious when the cameras aren’t rolling.
The 47-year-old was particularly surprised by a specific gesture she made with staff, which shows her true character. Speaking exclusively, Grant revealed: “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 continued by noting that Kate also “never saw herself better than anyone else” despite her position.
Royal butler Grant Harrold revealed what Kate Middleton was really like
He added: “When she used to arrive, she’d come in the kitchen and have a catch up with us,” reports the Mirror.
“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, who served as a butler to a then Prince Charles from 2004 to 2011, gives an insight into some of his most memorable moments at Highgrove House in his new book, The Royal Butler: My remarkable life of Royal service.
During his seven-year stint, he served the now King and also had encounters with Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Speaking at the launch of his book at London’s Rubens Hotel, Grant also shared what it was like serving William and Kate during a private Valentine’s meal, just months after their split in 2007.
Grant Harrold worked as a royal butler for seven years (Image: PR HANDOUT)
“It was just the two of them. It was really nice, quite special actually,” he revealed to media. “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.”
While Grant couldn’t remember exactly what they had for dinner, he did recall that the couple enjoyed eating chicken. Reflecting on his time with the royals, he went on to say he found it “weird” to see William and Kate all grown up.
He added: “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