Ex-royal butler Grant Harrold shared an amusing anecdote about the Prince of Wales getting caught up in a festive “fight”. Harrold, who provided his services to the Royal household from 2004 until 2011, fondly recounted what he dubbed a “hilarious” episode while speaking with Slingo.
Recalling one vibrant Christmas party at St. James’ Palace, he reminisced, “I remember going to one [party] at St. James’ Palace and hanging out with Prince William, Prince Harry, and Camilla.”
He went on to reveal an unexpected moment of revelry involving the royals: “I remember there was a water fight going on between another member of staff and Prince William – and I was in the firing line sitting between them!”
Harrold also reflected on the down-to-earth nature of the royals, adding, “It was always so festive and made you feel so involved and welcome to be a part of the celebrations. We would always be invited to the Christmas parties within the family, which were always so exciting.”
The former Royal butler recounted the high spirits of previous festive celebrations, describing scenes where “everyone was in fits of laughter” during a playful water fight and commented on how Christmas traditions must have “changed a bit” since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
This year, on December 19, King Charles played host to a pre-Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace, welcoming extended Royal Family members. In years past, the event had taken place at Windsor Castle in both 2022 and 2023, reports the Express.
Throngs of family members arrived by car at Buckingham Palace, much to the excitement of onlookers. The guest list included King Charles’ brother, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie along with their spouses, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, as well as less prominent royals such as Prince Michael of Kent, who is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Before the Yuletide celebration made headlines, it emerged that Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children had already made it to Norfolk as planned, ready to savour Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham.
The Wales brood make their country home at Anmer Hall, nestled within the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which serves as their go-to getaway during school holidays.
Like families around the globe, the Royals cherish their unique Christmas traditions. These include a brisk walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church on the 25th of December.
Moreover, in line with their German roots, they open gifts post-afternoon tea on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning—confirmed by Prince Harry in ‘Spare. ‘
He described the experience saying: “We were at Sandringham in a big room with a long table covered with white cloth and white name cards. By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place, stood before our mound of presents. Then suddenly, everyone began opening at the same time. A free-for-all, with scores of family members talking at once and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper.”
Since their exit as senior royals in 2020, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle haven’t celebrated Christmas in the UK.
This year finds them possibly enjoying festive cheer in their Montecito home with their two kids. Adding to the season’s greetings, the couple shared a heartfelt message and a rare photo of their children in their 2024 Christmas card, also highlighting their year’s achievements.