Former Royal butler Grant Harrold has revealed what surprised him most during his first meeting with the Queen.
The ex Buckingham Palace employee worked for Prince Charles for seven years after a six-month long interview process to gain a position in the Royal household. Speaking to Slingo , Grant was asked to recall his first impression of the Queen and disclosed what surprised him most about her.
He said: “I remember thinking how short she was, you don’t realise how short she is - that was the first thing. The other thing I remember is the wonderful kind of way she had about her, she wasn’t very regal or royal, but we had a really nice conversation and I felt really relaxed around her.
“The other thing the Queen does, she would do something that was hysterical and nobody would laugh because they wouldn’t know if she was being funny or not. And you’d all look at each other like, ‘did the Queen just make a joke?’ Then eventually somebody would laugh and you’d all go [laughs].
"She’s wonderful at that and that is something that I absolutely loved. Our Queen has got a wicked sense of humour,” he added.
Grant also added that once his former boss, The Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, become the King and Queen Consort, that this will be her chance to really win over the public. He gushed over the pair, and said: “Absolutely. I forget how many people now were not alive when Diana died, it was 25 years ago.
"Back then, Camilla didn’t get a look in - even when she got married, there was a little bit of hesitation. Those that said they couldn’t stand her, it’s now those same people who like her. Time is a healer. She has proven herself and the Queen has given her that endorsement by supporting her and announcing she’s going to be Queen Consort.
“I’m aware that there’s a real love-hate relationship when it comes to the future of the monarchy, obviously everyone loves the Queen and everyone loves William and Kate, but with Prince Charles, while the majority of people love him, there’s some people that don’t.
"I have no doubt one day he’ll be king and Camilla will be his Queen Consort and they’ll do an amazing job, but I don’t know how long that will be for.
“I can’t see Charles passing the role on, but what I do think will happen - like the Queen has done - is he will pass more on to Prince William. I believe that Charles will give William and Kate more of a role, so they still have their time as a couple and a family, but they’re still supporting the monarchy and keep their popularity”.
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