Over the years, former staff members of the British royal family have done wonders in letting royal fans peek into what happens behind the scenes. Whether it’s how Meghan Markle treated her employees during her time as a senior royal, or the odd teddy bear collection owned by Prince Andrew, we love to know more about these private and somewhat mysterious people.
And, following in that trend, Grant Harrold, a former butler to King Charles III for seven years, recently opened up about the sovereign’s unexpected Christmas traditions. According to Harrold, Charles has a tradition of leaving small gifts in his employees’ lockers throughout the holiday season, per Mirror.
“We all used to have these pigeon holes where I’d get my post in the mornings and what he used to do at Christmas, he used to leave funny little things,” Harrold remembered. “One time he left a tin of salmon and one year I got a salt and pepper grinder wrapped in a ribbon.” That’s right, the King of the United Kingdom, who can basically afford anything in the world, gifted his employee a tin of salmon and a salt and pepper grinder!
But, despite the small gifts, it seems like Harrold appreciated the gesture. “He had probably been given a hamper and sometimes there would be a lot in them and he would give some of the bits to us,” the former butler added. “I just thought it was so bizarre because you don’t expect those little things. It shows that they’ve got that fun, practical side to them.”
In addition to the gifts, Harrold also added that staff members would always be sent their iconic Christmas cards. “At Christmas, we would always get the famous Christmas card,” he remembered. “Before he was married to the now Queen Consort, I remember getting Christmas cards from him, William and Harry and that were always quite special”. How sweet!
As a reminder, this year’s royal Christmas cards have already been revealed earlier this month. Charles and Camilla, for example, chose a beautiful portrait from their May 6 coronation, per People. “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year,” the card reads.
Prince William and Kate Middleton also shared their holiday card around the same time. In the black-and-white photo, William and Kate are joined by their kids Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. The whole family is in matching white button-down shirts, with William and George in black slacks, Middleton and Charlotte in jeans, and Louis in black shorts. “Our family Christmas card for 2023 ????❤️ ???? ,” the Waleses wrote on Instagram.
Before you go, click here to see all the best pictures from King Charles III’s coronation.
