Kate Middleton,
Before becoming the Princess of Wales in 2011, Kate Middleton charmed royal staff members with her friendliness, humor, and down-to-earth attitude while dating her longtime love Prince William. Former royal butler Grant Harrold reveals how their early relationship seemed like any other young couple’s romance.
Just Like Any Boyfriend and Girlfriend
Harrold, who served the royal family from 2004 to 2011, described William and Kate Middleton’s pre-wedding dynamic as “just like any other boyfriend and girlfriend.” Despite Kate’s commoner status, she easily built rapport with palace personnel.
The butler recalled, “Kate Middleton, being a girlfriend and not a member of the family, would be with me and the other staff and she was so polite, friendly, and fun and making jokes.” Rather than seeming nervous or entitled around employees, Kate Middleton’s relating casually helped put them at ease as she spent time with William.
Catching Up During Couple’s Shared Days Off
Harrold also appreciated opportunities to chat with the couple over shared days off, deepening their friendly connection.
“I remember there were days I had off where I’d be running an errand or I’d left something up at Highgrove House and they were around, so you’d just catch up with them,” he revealed. “It was always fun and it was always nice that I got on so well with them.”
Traveling the Country Together
William and Kate Middleton appreciated Harrold’s company enough to request he accompany them on trips across Britain, further integrating him into their lives. The butler remembered this exciting access fondly. “They’d then ask me to travel the country with them. When my phone used to go off and it was William, all my friends would be like that’s so cool.”
Over time, receiving calls directly from the future heir to arrange meetups became Harrold’s “normal.” He summarized his unique experience: “That was the relationship I had with them. I think it was really special and not unusual.” In a private home, familiarity between staff and family is expected; William and Kate Middleton exemplified that tradition with their amiable nature towards employees.
Before royal responsibilities and public scrutiny intensified, Prince William prioritized cultivating personal connections – even with junior staffers like household butlers. By all accounts, Kate Middleton shared her fiancé’s common touch. Laughter interwoven with palace work formed the foundation enabling their subsequent transition onto the world stage as Britain’s foremost royal couple.