In a revealing new account, a former royal servant has lifted the lid on the inner workings of the monarchy, identifying the one individual with the unique power to refuse King Charles III.
Paul Burrell, who served as a butler to the late Princess Diana, has stated that after decades of royal service, he has observed that only the King's wife, Queen Camilla, can truly say 'no' to him.
The 'Non-Negotiable' Queen Camilla
Writing in his book, 'The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana', Burrell describes the Queen Consort as a "non-negotiable" figure in the King's life. He explains that while the monarch lives in a "gilded bubble" where staff address him as 'Your Majesty' and his every wish is a command, Camilla provides a crucial, grounding influence.
"The only person that can say ‘no’ is Camilla," Burrell, 67, asserted. "She is and always will be a non-negotiable. Perhaps her no-nonsense approach is what Charles needs. She’s the steady hand on the tiller of the royal ship now, like it or not."
He further elaborated that Camilla, who married Charles in 2005, rarely asks for anything but is now given everything, holding the ultimate position as Queen.
The Unchanging Royal Routines
Beyond the dynamics of power, Burrell also shared intriguing details about the King's long-standing personal habits, which have remained consistent over the years. According to the former footman, Charles's toothpaste is squeezed onto his toothbrush for him every morning.
He also uses a silver key to wind down the tube to avoid waste. His pyjamas are laundered or pressed daily, with the drawstrings pressed flat, and his dress shoes are "spit-and-polished" to a mirror finish, a tradition he shares with his late father, Prince Philip.
Royal Reaction to Meghan Markle's Veterans Day Tribute
In a separate development, another former royal employee has weighed in on how the Royal Family may have perceived a recent social media post by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. To mark Veterans Day in the United States, Meghan shared a video honouring the military service of her husband, Prince Harry, and all service personnel.
Grant Harrold, another former royal butler, speculated that King Charles would have viewed the post positively. "I don’t think the Royal Family will feel badly about it at all; I think they will approve it," Harrold told ReachPlc.
He highlighted that the King was "extremely proud" of his son's service in Afghanistan and would be glad to see Meghan acknowledging and respecting his military career.
These insights from those who have worked closely with the royals offer a rare glimpse into the personal life of the monarch and the complex relationships within the modern Royal Family.
