When Grant Harrold walked through the doors of Highgrove House in 2004, he was a working-class lad from Scotland with stars in his eyes and a dream job ahead of him. Seven years later, he'd witnessed the inner workings of one of the world's most scrutinised families—and what he saw doesn't match the explosive claims now making headlines.
The former royal butler has come forward to challenge Prince Harry's portrayal of Queen Camilla in his bestselling memoir 'Spare,' and his account paints a starkly different picture of life inside the royal household during those crucial years when Charles and Camilla were rebuilding their lives together.
From Scottish dreams to royal service
Grant Harrold's journey to the heart of the British monarchy began in the most unlikely circumstances. Born on 26 April 1978, this working-class boy from Scotland was 'always obsessed with the royal family' from an early age, 'glued to the television screen watching countless documentaries on Her Majesty the Queen.'
His path to royal service started in 1997 working for Urs Schwarzenbach and Major Christopher Hanbury on the Ben Alder estate, before landing the role that would change his life forever.
He worked as a butler for Charles III from 2004 to 2011, when King Charles was Prince of Wales, during one of the most transformative periods in modern royal history.
Based at their country Highgrove House in the Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for the king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Sussex. On occasions, Grant also had the honour to Butler for the Late Queen Elizabeth II and her Husband The Late Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
The accusations that shocked a former insider
To understand why Harrold's defence of Camilla carries such weight, you need to know exactly what Prince Harry accused his stepmother of doing. The claims in 'Spare' weren't just family grievances—they were serious allegations about calculated media manipulation.
Harry's main accusations against Camilla in 'Spare'
Harry wrote that he had 'complex feelings about gaining a step parent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.'
He called her 'dangerous' 'because of the need for her to rehabilitate her image' and said 'That made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British press.'
He claimed: 'Stories began to appear everywhere in all the papers about her private conversation with Willy, stories that contained pinpoint accurate details, none of which had come from Willy, of course. They could only have been leaked by the other one other person present.'
In interviews promoting the book, Harry expanded on these themes, telling various outlets about Camilla's supposed willingness to 'trade information' with the British press.
He warned that 'with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street because of that,' and reiterated that she had 'sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.'
These weren't throwaway comments—they formed a central narrative in Harry's book, painting Camilla as manipulative and willing to damage family relationships for personal gain.
'I was shocked' - the butler's defence
For someone who spent seven years observing the family dynamics at close quarters, Harrold's reaction to Harry's claims was immediate and visceral.
'I never saw anything like that, so when this all came out, I was shocked. The late Queen made a very good comment: 'recollections may vary''
Harrold's defence wasn't just personal opinion - he'd consulted with colleagues to test his own memories. 'I don't know what was going through his mind, all I know from my point of view and from what I witnessed was that they [Harry and Camilla] got on,' he told news.com.au.
'He supported his father, he supported her, they spent time together as a family, they went away together and they did stuff together.' After discussing the claims with 'two former colleagues' from the royal household, Harrold explained that 'we all agree that we don't remember there ever being any issues or anything that was openly known.'
The Camilla that Harrold knew
The contrast between Harry's portrayal and Harrold's experience couldn't be starker. Where Harry saw calculation and danger, Harrold witnessed genuine warmth and authenticity.
'She's one of the nicest, kindest people you could meet, she really has no agenda,' Harrold insisted.
'She was brilliant with me, very gracious and very sweet. I get Christmas cards and gifts personally from her, and before she was married I used to go to her house to do stuff or to see her and take stuff [to her] and she was always very sweet and welcoming—and great fun to be around.'
These aren't distant royal protocols Harrold is describing, but personal relationships that continued long after he left royal service. The Christmas cards and gifts suggest someone who valued the people who served her family, hardly the behaviour of someone focused solely on personal advancement.
How Camilla really reacted
While Harry's accusations made international headlines, Camilla's actual reaction was far more restrained than might be expected. According to the Marchioness of Lansdowne, a close friend and recently appointed 'Queen's Companion,' Camilla was 'hurt' by Harry's criticisms but 'doesn't let it get to her.'
A close 'aide' told The Times that Camilla's response was measured: 'It was not stamping of feet or gnashing of teeth. Camilla herself has not spoken publicly about Harry's criticisms of her or his memoir more generally.
This is in line with the blanket 'no comment' position adopted by Buckingham Palace about the prince's media projects.'
Perhaps most tellingly, royal sources revealed that during the era of Harry and Meghan's bombshells, 'the staff around the queen and King Charles III almost never discussed the royal rift.'
One source explained: 'Far more thought and hiatus is stirred up in the media around what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are or aren't doing on any given day than was ever a fixation at the Palace. Where it's almost never discussed.'
The changing tide of public opinion
Harrold's defence of Camilla comes at a time when public opinion about the Queen has been steadily shifting. In September 2024, 49 per cent of the British people had a positive opinion of Camilla, Queen Consort, while 38 per cent reported a negative impression.
Camilla has steadily become more popular among people in Great Britain since October 2019, when just 40 per cent reported having a positive opinion of the Queen Consort.
The transformation is particularly striking when viewed over a longer timeframe. In 1997, the same year as Princess Diana's death, a poll showed 57 per cent of people had an unfavourable opinion of Camilla, which had reduced to 38 per cent in 2024.
What this reveals about royal dynamics
Harrold's memoir, set for release this month, offers a unique perspective on royal service during a pivotal time. Today, Grant Harrold is a leading expert on etiquette, and in The Royal Butler he draws on his time as a member of the royal household of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, Harrold now runs an etiquette and butler school. He also gives talks and demonstrations on afternoon tea etiquette, dinner parties etiquette and similar etiquette events.
His professional development since leaving royal service adds credibility to his observations. Since 2023, Harrold has served as a brand ambassador and Insight Speaker aboard Cunard, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn ships, delivering lectures on etiquette and his royal experiences to cruise guests.
The butler's account suggests that palace life during the mid-2000s was far more harmonious than recent revelations might suggest. His description of Charles and Camilla 'giggling together, behaving as 'best friends' as well as romantic partners' paints a picture of a couple genuinely happy together, rather than the calculating partnership some critics have suggested.
What This Means For You
As Australia continues to grapple with its relationship with the monarchy, accounts like Harrold's provide valuable context about the human beings behind the institution. Whether his version of events will influence public opinion remains to be seen, but his willingness to speak out demonstrates the loyalty that royal service can inspire.
What do you think about this butler's defence of Queen Camilla? Do insider accounts like this change your perspective on the royal family dynamics, or do you think there's room for both versions of events to be true? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we'd love to hear how this royal drama looks from an Australian perspective.
Original Article
https://www.news.com.au/entertainme...03b307635f48a2742907e8531de40a?from=rss-basic
Grant Harrold - Wikipedia
Cited text: Grant William Veitch Harrold (born 26 April 1978) is a British former butler to King Charles III (when he was Prince of Wales), now a British etiquett...
Excerpt: Grant Harrold's journey to the heart of the British monarchy began in the most unlikely circumstances.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Harrold
The Royal Butler : My remarkable life of royal service: Grant Harrold: 9781399621236: TGJones
Cited text: From an early age, Grant Harrold was always obsessed with the royal family. Glued to the television screen watching countless documentaries on Her Maj...
Excerpt: Grant Harrold's journey to the heart of the British monarchy began in the most unlikely circumstances.
https://www.tgjonesonline.co.uk/Pro...-My-remarkable-life-of-royal-service/15697710
Grant Harrold - Wikipedia
Cited text: His first employers were Urs Schwarzenbach and Major Christopher Hanbury on the Ben Alder estate, where he began working in private service in 1997.
Excerpt: His path to royal service started in 1997 working for Urs Schwarzenbach and Major Christopher Hanbury on the Ben Alder estate,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Harrold
Grant Harrold - Wikipedia
Cited text: He worked as a butler for Charles III from 2004 to 2011, when King Charles was Prince of Wales.
Excerpt: He worked as a butler for Charles III from 2004 to 2011, when King Charles was Prince of Wales,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Harrold
The Royal Butler | Book by Grant Harrold | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
Cited text: Based at their country Highgrove House in the Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for the king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and...
Excerpt: Based at their country Highgrove House in the Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for the king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Royal-Butler/Grant-Harrold/9798897100156
The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life in Royal Service: Harrold, Grant: 9798897100156: Amazon.com: Books
Cited text: Based at their country Highgrove House in the Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for the king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and...
Excerpt: Based at their country Highgrove House in the Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for the king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.
The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life in Royal Service: Harrold, Grant: 9798897100156: Amazon.com: Books
Cited text: Based at their country Highgrove House in The Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for The King and Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales and...
Excerpt: Based at their country Highgrove House in the Cotswolds, his duties included being butler for the king and queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.
The Royal Butler | Book by Grant Harrold | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
Cited text: On occasions, Grant also had the honour to Butler for the Late Queen Elizabeth II and her Husband The Late Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
Excerpt: On occasions, Grant also had the honour to Butler for the Late Queen Elizabeth II and her Husband The Late Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Royal-Butler/Grant-Harrold/9798897100156
The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life in Royal Service: Harrold, Grant: 9798897100156: Amazon.com: Books
Cited text: On occasions, Grant also had the honour to Butler for the Late Queen Elizabeth II and her Husband The Late Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
Excerpt: On occasions, Grant also had the honour to Butler for the Late Queen Elizabeth II and her Husband The Late Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
Spare (memoir) - Wikipedia
Cited text: An acquaintance of Harry's father, who was with them on the ski trip, said Harry's account in the book was "rubbish" as he "w...
Excerpt: Harry wrote that he had 'complex feelings about gaining a step parent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spare_(memoir)
Spare (memoir) - Wikipedia
Cited text: Harry also recounts another tense meeting with Charles and William following the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip in April 2021, where Charles...
Excerpt: Harry wrote that he had 'complex feelings about gaining a step parent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spare_(memoir)
What Queen Camilla Aides Really Think of Harry and Meghan Bombshells - Newsweek
Cited text: Maybe she'd be less dangerous if she was happy?'
Excerpt: Harry wrote that he had 'complex feelings about gaining a step parent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.'
https://www.newsweek.com/queen-camilla-aides-harry-meghan-2043524
What Queen Camilla Aides Really Think of Harry and Meghan Bombshells - Newsweek
Cited text: 'Stories began to appear everywhere, in all the papers, about her private conversation with Willy, stories that contained pinpoint accurate details, n...
Excerpt: He called her 'dangerous' 'because of the need for her to rehabilitate her image' and said 'That made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British press.'
https://www.newsweek.com/queen-camilla-aides-harry-meghan-2043524
What Queen Camilla Aides Really Think of Harry and Meghan Bombshells - Newsweek
Cited text: Newsweek is committed to journalism that is factual and fair · We value your input and encourage you to rate this article. Newsweek is committed to jo...
Excerpt: He also claimed: 'Shortly after our private summits with her, she began to play the long game.
https://www.newsweek.com/queen-camilla-aides-harry-meghan-2043524
Spare (memoir) - Wikipedia
Cited text: An acquaintance of Harry's father, who was with them on the ski trip, said Harry's account in the book was 'rubbish' as he 'was definitely in Klosters...
Excerpt: In interviews promoting the book, Harry expanded on these themes, telling various outlets about Camilla's supposed willingness to 'trade information' with the British press.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spare_(memoir)
What Queen Camilla Aides Really Think of Harry and Meghan Bombshells - Newsweek
Cited text: 'Far more thought and hiatus is stirred up in the media around what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are or aren't doing on any given day than was ever ...
Excerpt: In interviews promoting the book, Harry expanded on these themes, telling various outlets about Camilla's supposed willingness to 'trade information' with the British press.
https://www.newsweek.com/queen-camilla-aides-harry-meghan-2043524
Queen Consort Camilla Responds to Prince Harry ‘Spare’ Book Claims: Memoir
Cited text: ... How did the Queen Consort Camilla respond to Prince Harry’s Spare? According to sources in Vanity Fair, Camilla Parker Bowles is “just astounded b...
Excerpt: He warned that 'with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street because of that,' and reiterated that she had 'sacrificed me on her personal PR…
https://stylecaster.com/camilla-harry-spare/
Opinion polling for the next Australian federal election - Wikipedia
Cited text: ^ Primary and 2PP vote sum is less than 100 due to rounding.
Excerpt: He warned that 'with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street because of that,' and reiterated that she had 'sacrificed me on her personal PR…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_Australian_federal_election
Prince Harry's memoir Spare: Biggest revelations from Harry's explosive book | HELLO!
Cited text: A look back at all the biggest and most shocking claims from the Duke of Sussex's personal autobiography, Spare, released in January 2023
Excerpt: Camilla's actual reaction was far more restrained than might be expected.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royal...ry-book-spare-available-to-buy-spain-mistake/
Prince Harry's memoir Spare: Biggest revelations from Harry's explosive book | HELLO!
Cited text:
Excerpt: Camilla's actual reaction was far more restrained than might be expected.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royal...ry-book-spare-available-to-buy-spain-mistake/
Prince Harry's jabs at Queen Camilla are 'unforgivable' for King Charles, royal is 'on his own': expert | Fox News
Cited text: (Gallery Books) Writing about his father’s 2005 wedding to Camilla, Harry says: 'I had complex feelings about gaining a stepparent who, I believed, ha...
Excerpt: Perhaps most tellingly, royal sources revealed that during the era of Harry and Meghan's bombshells, 'the staff around the queen and King Charles III almost never discussed the royal rift…
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainme...la-unforgivable-king-charles-royal-own-expert
Australia election 2025: Results, what polls say and what’s at stake? | Elections News | Al Jazeera
Cited text: On average, a household in Australia’s largest city, Sydney, needs to earn about 280,000 Australian dollars every year (US$180,000) to be able to affo...
Excerpt: In September 2024, 49 percent of the British people had a positive opinion of Camilla, Queen Consort, while 38 percent reported a negative impression.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025...025-results-what-polls-say-and-whats-at-stake
ALP support up as King Charles & Queen Camilla visit Australia for the first time - Roy Morgan Research
Cited text: ALP primary vote support increased 2 per cent to 32 per cent while Coalition support was down 1 per cent to 36.5 per cent, support for the Greens was down 0.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent and One Natio...
Excerpt: In 1997, the same year as Princess Diana's death, a poll showed 57 per cent of people had an unfavourable opinion of Camilla which has reduced to 38 per cent in 2024.
https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9692-federal-voting-intention-october-21-2024
ALP support up as King Charles & Queen Camilla visit Australia for the first time - Roy Morgan Research
Cited text: “When King Charles ascended to the throne two years ago a special Roy Morgan Snap SMS Poll showed a resounding majority of 60 per cent of Australian supported...
Excerpt: In 1997, the same year as Princess Diana's death, a poll showed 57 per cent of people had an unfavourable opinion of Camilla which has reduced to 38 per cent in 2024.
https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9692-federal-voting-intention-october-21-2024
Australia election 2025: Results, what polls say and what’s at stake? | Elections News | Al Jazeera
Cited text: The city ranks as the second least affordable out of 94 urban centres globally, according to the International Housing Affordability survey by Demogra...
Excerpt: 2019: 40 per cent positive opinion
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025...025-results-what-polls-say-and-whats-at-stake
Queen Camilla popularity 2024 | Statista
Cited text: Camilla has steadily become more popular among people in Great Britain since October 2019, when just 40 percent reported having a positive opinion of ...
Excerpt: The survey was conducted as King Charles III and Queen Camilla's first visit to Australia as reigning monarchs came to an end, with the royal couple visiting Sydney and Canberra during their time here from October 18-23.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359315/camilla-queen-consort-favorability-rating/
Queen Camilla popularity 2024 | Statista
Cited text: Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Excerpt: The survey was conducted as King Charles III and Queen Camilla's first visit to Australia as reigning monarchs came to an end, with the royal couple visiting Sydney and Canberra during their time here from October 18-23.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359315/camilla-queen-consort-favorability-rating/
Queen Camilla popularity 2024 | Statista
Cited text: ... Loading statistic... ... Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Excerpt: Despite challenges facing the modern Royal Family, a Roy Morgan poll found that support for the Monarchy has decreased slightly from two years ago in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II's passing, but support for the Monarchy is still…
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359315/camilla-queen-consort-favorability-rating/
The Royal Butler | Book by Grant Harrold | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
Cited text: Today, Grant Harrold is a leading expert on etiquette, and in The Royal Butler he draws on his time as a member of the royal household of Their Majest...
Excerpt: Today, Grant Harrold is a leading expert on etiquette, and in The Royal Butler he draws on his time as a member of the royal household of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Royal-Butler/Grant-Harrold/9798897100156
The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life in Royal Service: Harrold, Grant: 9798897100156: Amazon.com: Books
Cited text: Today, Grant Harrold is a leading expert on etiquette, and in The Royal Butler he draws on his time as a member of the royal household of Their Majest...
Excerpt: Today, Grant Harrold is a leading expert on etiquette, and in The Royal Butler he draws on his time as a member of the royal household of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Grant Harrold - Wikipedia
Cited text: Based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, Harrold now runs an etiquette and butler school. He also gives talks and demonstrations on afternoon tea etiquette,...
Excerpt: Based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, Harrold now runs an etiquette and butler school.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Harrold
Grant Harrold - Wikipedia
Cited text: Since 2023, Harrold has served as a brand ambassador and Insight Speaker aboard Cunard, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn ships, delivering lectures on e...
Excerpt: Since 2023, Harrold has served as a brand ambassador and Insight Speaker aboard Cunard, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn ships, delivering lectures on etiquette and his royal experiences to cruise guests.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Harrold
Prince Harry explains why he labels stepmother Camilla 'dangerous' in book | HELLO!
Cited text: She was even endorsed by the late Queen to be Queen Consort on the eve of Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in February 2022.
Excerpt: The ongoing tension highlights a fundamental challenge for the royal family. As royal biographer Christopher Andersen noted, 'the one thing that Charles finds unforgivable is criticism of Camilla.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royal...ce-harry-explains-why-camilla-dangerous-book/
Prince Harry explains why he labels stepmother Camilla 'dangerous' in book | HELLO!
Cited text: Sign up to The Royal Explainer newsletter to receive your weekly dose of royal features and other exclusive content straight to your inbox.
Excerpt: The ongoing tension highlights a fundamental challenge for the royal family. As royal biographer Christopher Andersen noted, 'the one thing that Charles finds unforgivable is criticism of Camilla.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royal...ce-harry-explains-why-camilla-dangerous-book/
Grant Harrold - Wikipedia
Cited text: In 2020, Harrold applied to register "The Royal Butler" as trademark for his business; however, the trademark was denied.
Excerpt: In 2020, Harrold applied to register 'The Royal Butler' as trademark for his business; however, the trademark was denied.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Harrold
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