Prince Harry’s revelations in his memoir Spare about tension and animosity within the royal family have left King Charles’ former butler, Grant Harrold, really puzzled. Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of the release of his own book, The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service, Harrold said his personal experience with the royals was very different from Harry’s account.
In Spare, Harry described a strained relationship with King Charles, as well as difficulties with Prince William and Kate Middleton. He also wrote that he and William begged their father not to marry Queen Camilla, claiming she was determined to secure marriage and the Crown.
Harrold, however, disputed this version of events. He recalled moments when Charles went out of his way to make his sons laugh and insisted that the family dynamic between Charles, Camilla, William, and Harry was warm and positive. He said he had seen the four dining, drinking, and attending events together, and that there was “no animosity” towards Harry during his time in service.
The former butler also talked abut the brothers’ bond, saying Harry and William remained close even after William’s marriage to Kate. According to Harrold, the couple often included Harry in social outings to ensure he felt part of their circle. For that reason, Harrold expressed confusion at Harry’s portrayal of estrangement from the Prince and Princess of Wales.
