Grant Harrold: Life as a Royal Butler and Dancing with Queen Elizabeth II

The Path to Royal Service

• 💡 Grant Harrold's journey to becoming a royal butler began in a humble household in North Lanarkshire, inspired by a childhood fascination with the Royal Family and a love for etiquette.
• 🎯 He initially dreamed of joining the Royal Family and meeting Queen Elizabeth II, seeing her as a potential grandmother figure.
• 🚀 A pivotal moment was watching the movie 'Remains of the Day,' which solidified his aspiration to work in service.

Royal Etiquette and Anecdotes

• 👑 Harrold shares insights into royal etiquette, including the proper way to stir tea and the historical context of milk-in-first versus tea-first.
• ☕ He recounts the debate over scone preparation, noting that the Queen favored a 50/50 approach for diplomacy.
• 🏃‍♀️ A memorable anecdote involves Queen Elizabeth II spontaneously running down a corridor at Balmoral, with Harrold trotting to keep up, highlighting her playful nature.
• 🗣️ He notes that while Prince Philip was known for his colorful language, he never heard the Queen or other royals use such strong expletives.

Experiences with the Royal Family

• 🤴 Harrold details his interview process with Prince Charles (now King Charles III), including a moment where he asserted his preference to meet the Prince alone, which ultimately secured him the role.
• 💧 He describes Prince Harry playfully pelting him with water balloons, an incident he viewed as a sign of a comfortable, familial dynamic.
• 👑 He also shares his positive experiences with Prince William and Kate Middleton, noting their warmth and willingness to engage with staff.

Reflections on Royal Life and Departures

• 💔 Harrold expresses sadness over the reported fallout between Prince William and Prince Harry, finding it hard to reconcile with the closeness he witnessed.
• 🧐 He believes the narrative of Meghan Markle facing a 'viper's nest' doesn't ring true, suggesting that adherence to household protocols might have been a point of contention.
• 📉 He left royal service in 2011 due to restructuring and a desire to avoid a shift to administrative roles, a decision that proved fortunate as many colleagues were later made redundant.

Post-Royal Career and Manifestation

• 🌟 Since leaving royal service, Harrold has built a successful career in media, social media, and as an etiquette coach, traveling globally.
• 🏠 He lives in a grand converted barn, reflecting his lifelong dream of living in a stately home, which he attributes to a strong sense of manifestation.
• 📚 His book, 'The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service,' focuses on his personal journey and the fun aspects of his experiences rather than gossip.