Grant Harrold, who served as King Charles and Queen Camilla's butler from 2004 to 2011, has offered a rare glimpse into the evolving relationship between King Charles and his eldest son, Prince William. Speaking to Heart Bingo Online, Harrold described the pair as 'really close,' emphasizing that 'the two of them support each other' significantly.
Charles as a Mentor
Harrold noted that the King excels at providing advice and guidance to William. 'The king is great at giving William advice and guidance,' he said. However, the dynamic is not one-sided. Harrold claimed that Prince William has 'always been very good at supporting his father, so they've got a wonderful relationship.'
Evolution of Their Bond
Over the years, Charles has consistently helped William prepare for his future roles as Prince of Wales and eventual king. Harrold observed that William is now 'offering a lot more of his views and his guidance to the King, and coming into his own with a new confidence.'
Regarding changes since Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, Harrold stated, 'I don't think there is a huge difference in their relationship. Obviously, the King's got a lot more responsibilities, and he is a lot busier. They probably don't see each other as much as they used to, but that's all.'
Kate Middleton's Role
Harrold also commented on the marriage of William and Kate Middleton, highlighting Kate's grounding influence. 'I think Princess Kate is very good at grounding William, and she's very good at keeping him right and keeping him calm, which is what Queen Camilla's good at as well.' He described Kate as the 'power behind the throne,' a 'very strong individual,' and a 'real support.' He added, 'She's not a royal, but she's become a typical royal wife, which is what you want.'
Royal Gardener's Perspective
Last week, former royal gardener Jack Stooks, who served the royals for two decades, shared his observations on William's transformation since marrying Kate in 2011. Stooks said William has become 'a lot more serious' but in a positive way, as he has inherited more responsibilities as future king. 'He's trying to be seen as somebody that can be taken seriously,' Stooks noted, adding that William's actions are 'very much in line with what the king has taken on, especially with his roles in the environment and with wildlife. Following on from his father, he's going to do a great job going forward.'
While Stooks acknowledged that William is 'cut from the same cloth' as Charles, he pointed out that 'Charles is such a workaholic.' In contrast, William appears 'slightly more family-oriented' and 'takes time out of his work life to concentrate on his personal life.'
