Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, has shared his experience of meeting Queen Camilla when she faced intense public hostility following the breakdown of King Charles's marriage to the late Princess Diana. Reflecting on the encounter as the Queen celebrated her 77th birthday earlier this month, Harrold described Camilla as warm and maternal.
Grant Harrold's First Meeting with Camilla
Appearing on The Royals Uncensored, Harrold recalled his surprise when Camilla was present during his job interview with then-Prince Charles. 'When I had my interview, she was in the room, which completely surprised me. I knew I was meeting him but didn't know I was going to meet her. At the time I was really confused,' he said.
'But she was so nice. During the interview, I was so nervous. He was great and she kept offering me more tea. She was almost like a mother figure. But she made me feel really relaxed,' Harrold added.
Camilla's Kindness and Changing Public Opinion
Harrold praised Charles but noted that Camilla had been 'extraordinary' during his time working for the House of Windsor. He said she would often write him letters and buy him gifts on special occasions, including Christmas and his birthday.
'One day we will look back at this royal romance and say it was one of the greatest of all time!' Harrold told viewers. He also mentioned that his mother, initially a Princess Diana fan, changed her opinion over a couple of years as she saw Camilla's character.
Camilla faced her most intense public dislike during the 1990s and early 2000s after Charles and Diana's marriage split. Princess Diana's famous statement that 'there were three of us in this marriage' cemented public animosity. However, after Diana's death and as Camilla integrated into the Royal Family, perceptions gradually improved. Charles and Camilla married in April 2005 and were crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.
