From Ghillies Ball to Royal Sanctuary: A Butler's Unforgettable Royal Encounters
THE ROYAL BUTLER'S EXCLUSIVE STORY: INSIDE THE QUEEN'S FINAL DAYS
I'm Grant Harrold, the former butler of Prince Charles and one of the UK's leading etiquette experts. As I sit down with you today to share my extraordinary story, I'm reminded of the countless memories I made while serving the Royal Family. From the Queen's private sanctuary at Balmoral to the intimate Valentine's dinner I helped plan for Prince William and Kate Middleton, my time in the palace was nothing short of thrilling.
But it wasn't all champagne toasts and tiara-touting – there were moments that left me shaken, like the day I surprised a tour group in Charles's most private sanctuary. I was minding my own business, cleaning up after a royal visit, when I overheard the tour guide warning visitors to steer clear of the sacred space.
"Nobody but nobody goes in there," the guide said, chuckling. "It is sacred. The only person who goes in there is His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and a chosen few personally selected by His Royal Highness."
That's when I walked out of the sanctuary, mop and bucket in hand, right past the unsuspecting tourists. They burst into laughter, and I couldn't help but join in – it was the perfect timing.
But that was just one of many unforgettable moments during my tenure as a royal butler. From the Queen's fondness for cooking and washing up at Balmoral to her occasional appearances at the Braemar Gathering, where Princess Diana would often join her husband Charles and brother-in-law Prince Philip in their kilts and tweeds – those were the times I cherished most.
One of my fondest memories is of a sunny afternoon spent exercising the Queen's ponies with Her Majesty herself riding alongside me. As we galloped through the stunning Aberdeenshire scenery, I was struck by her poise and elegance. But little did I know, it wasn't just the ponies that were causing commotion – some furry creatures were lurking beneath their hooves.
"Rats!" I exclaimed, alerting my companion to the unexpected visitors. "Oh no, there are rats at the hooves and it's upsetting the horses!"
The woman beside me chuckled knowingly, pointing out a familiar figure in the distance – none other than Her Majesty herself, walking with her corgis by her side.
"Ah, I'm so sorry," the Queen said with a smile as she gathered up her beloved dogs. "It seems we have some unwelcome guests."
I was taken aback by the encounter but soon realized it was just another day in the life of the monarch – where even an unexpected meeting with rats couldn't ruffle Her Majesty's feathers.
Of course, not all my time with the Royal Family was quite so...unconventional. I also had the privilege of attending some of the most high-profile events of our era – including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018. As a media commentator and guest of honor, I witnessed firsthand the joy and excitement that filled the air as the happy couple exchanged their vows.
And let's not forget one of my most surreal experiences: being an eyewitness to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. It was a moment of pure nostalgia for me – watching Her Majesty appear briefly on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, flanked by her family members and looking every inch the monarch she had become.
But that same year would prove to be one of the darkest periods in our nation's history. On September 8, 2022, I was about to go live with Piers Morgan when my cameraman pointed me towards the TV – it was the news we'd all been dreading: the Queen had passed away.
In the hours that followed, I found myself broadcasting almost non-stop, trying to make sense of this new reality. And yet, amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, there was a moment that would stay with me forever – when I finally got to say goodbye to Her Majesty.
As the news of her passing broke, I received a message from my friend Jack, who had managed to secure tickets for Prince Harry's wedding in 2018. "I'm sorry to tell you but I've just seen this," he wrote, sending me a link about the Queen's passing.
He knew that would be the one thing that got to me – the memory of dancing with Her Majesty in the very ballroom where she had been laid to rest. For what felt like hours, I cried uncontrollably – feeling guilty for not being able to process my emotions sooner.
Later that day, as the funeral procession made its way through London, I managed to sneak away from my media duties and find a spot by the Palace's cordoned-off road. It was eerily quiet, save for the sound of police officers trying to maintain order.
As I stood there, tears streaming down my face, one officer approached me – "I know the emotion," he said kindly. "Everybody feels the same."
"I knew her," I replied, explaining how our paths had crossed over the years.
"Ah," he said with a nod. "Do you want to come in here? If you come in here, you'll see her."
I nodded gratefully as he let me stand by the police cordon. And then, it happened – the funeral carriage procession came into view, and I caught my first glimpse of Her Majesty's coffin.
The police officers around me were crying too – it was a moment that transcended protocol and tradition. For one brief instant, we were all just human beings paying our respects to an incredible woman who had left an indelible mark on our nation.
As the news of her passing spread like wildfire across the globe, I knew my life would never be the same again. But in those poignant moments by the Palace, surrounded by officers and strangers alike – that's when I finally felt at peace.
And as I look back now, I realize it was only fitting that our paths crossed one last time – in a place where love, loss, and loyalty blended into an unforgettable experience that would stay with me forever.