Former royal butler recalls Queen Elizabeth’s secret show of support to Charles and Camilla on their wedding day – as they celebrate 19 years of marriage
King Charles’ former butlers has recalled touching memories from the monarch and Queen Camilla’s wedding day as they celebrate 19 years of marriage.
The former royal butler worked within Charles’ household for seven years between 2004 and 2011, and was a guest at the ceremony in Windsor on April 9, 2005.
Charles and Camilla, who had both been married previously, opted for a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall followed by a religious blessing at St George’s Chapel.
Grant, 45, is now an etiquette expert and broadcaster, while his list of clientele has also included Prince William, Prince Harry and the late Queen Elizabeth II herself.
As the royal couple celebrates 19 years of matrimony on Tuesday, Grant recalled the ceremony and shared how the late Queen Elizabeth was actually heavily involved in the wedding planning.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold revealed Queen Elizabeth’s show of support for Charles and Camilla at their wedding in 2005 (pictured)
The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend Charles and Camilla’s civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, but they did join later on for the religious blessing at St George’s Chapel (pictured)
He revealed that the late monarch organised important wedding details on the day, from the flowers to Charles and Camilla’s wedding rings, and even gave a comical speech at the newlywed couple’s reception.
The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend Charles and Camilla’s civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, but they did join later for the religious blessing at St George’s Chapel.
Speaking on behalf of wedding directory Guides for Brides (guidesforbrides.co.uk), he said: ‘The biggest misconception about the wedding is that the Queen didn’t enjoy it or wasn’t supportive, it’s complete nonsense.
‘There was talk about whether she would attend the service but her appearance at the reception was a joyful one.
‘Her attendance and speech would have been seen as an olive branch to Charles and Camilla – her blessing of the marriage. The royals don’t do things lightly and she would have not attended if she hadn’t been happy to.
‘I remember walking to St George’s Hall for the reception, where they had drinks. The Queen had not attended the actual service but she gave a speech at the reception, which was seen as a big sign of her approval to the marriage.
‘The Queen was amazing at the wedding, she gave a very funny speech, she was really happy as was Prince Philip. I can’t remember her exact words but she was funny. She compared their relationship to a Grand National horse race. She was a great comedian and had a way with words.’
After the blessing, the Queen hosted a lunch for foreign royals who had travelled to the UK at Windsor Castle.
The former royal butler worked within Charles’ household for seven years between 2004 and 2011, and was a guest at the ceremony in Windsor on April 9, 2005
The happy couple pictured with the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince William, Prince Harry, the bride’s father Bruce Shand and Camilla’s children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes
Queen Camilla pictured waving to crowds on her wedding day in April 2003. The couple became the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall following their marriage
The Queen pictured with the Royal Family on the steps of St George’s Chapel on Charles and Camilla’s wedding day
Charles and Camilla are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary (pictured attending a service on Easter Sunday)
The happy couple and their immediate family also posed for photos in the White Drawing Room within the royal residence.
Charles and Camilla were joined by the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince William, Prince Harry, the bride’s father Bruce Shand (who passed away the following year) and her children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
Grant added that Camilla’s bouquet also featured myrtle from Sandringham – a traditional touch for royal weddings which the Queen would have been involved with – acting as a sign of her approval.
Charles and Camilla’s wedding bands were made from the Royal Family’s collection of Welsh gold, another element that would have involved the Queen.
On their wedding day, it was announced that the Queen had appointed Charles and Camilla the new Duke and Duchess of Cornwall – titles they held for the next 17 years.
Speaking about why the Queen didn’t attend the actual ceremony, Grant explained: ‘The Queen didn’t go to the actual Guildhall. The reason for that, we’re talking about 20 odd years ago, Charles was a divorcee.
‘So possibly the Queen felt that being a traditionalist, she didn’t want to be at the blessing for personal reasons because her faith was very strong. She certainly was at the blessing at St George’s Chapel.’
The royal butler also reflected on sweet moments between Queen Elizabeth and her son on his wedding day, saying it was filled with ‘hugs’ and that she looked like a ‘proud mother’.
King Charles and Queen Camilla smile for the crowds moments after they were legally married in 2005
King Charles and Queen Camilla pictured with their children from their first marriages on their wedding day in April 2005
Mr Harrold (pictured in 2012) said he wasn’t expecting to be invited to the wedding as he had been working for the royals under a year – but was invited as a friend
‘Charles was grinning ear to ear the whole day. He was so happy,’ said Grant.
‘The Queen was wonderful with the two of them and very sweet with the two of them at their wedding reception.
‘There were hugs between Charles and the Queen and I’m sure between Camilla and the Queen. One of my fondest memories is the Queen gathering outside with friends and family to wave the newlyweds off in the car. She was waving and smiling excitedly. She looked like any other proud mother.
‘What surprised me most about the wedding was just how happy it all was and how there was a real party atmosphere. The Queen doing a speech was a real surprise, you don’t expect that. It was an amazing occasion and being invited as a guest was an honour.’
The ceremony was notably less lavish than King Charles’s wedding to Princess Diana in July 1981, which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral and watched by over 750 million people around the world.
Camilla wore a white silk dress with a scalloped trim, adding an elegant white tailored coat with a diamond feathered brooch.
Charles – then the Prince of Wales – was smart in a black long-line jacket and grey striped trousers.
The couple’s wedding ceremony was attended by their children from their previous marriages – Prince William, Prince Harry, Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles.
Underneath her embroidered coat, Camilla wore a light blue chiffon dress. She carried a small floral bouquet to this part of the day
The late Queen pictured beaming at Prince Harry following Charles and Camilla’s religious blessing
Unlike Charles’s first wedding, the civil ceremony was kept private. Buckingham Palace announced that there would be no music or readings featured in the order of service.
After the ceremony, the royal newlyweds took the time to greet royal fans who had gathered on the streets of Windsor to celebrate their marriage.
The couple then made the two-minute car journey to St George’s Chapel for their religious blessing – which was attended by several members of the Royal Family.
For the second part of their day, Camilla changed into another outfit designed by Anna Valentine and Antonia Robinson.
The Queen wore a long-sleeved light blue coat with gold embroidery with a matching chiffon gown underneath.
Grant revealed that he initially thought he wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding as staff were only invited if they had worked for the family for at least a year.
The ceremony was notably less lavish than King Charles’s wedding to Princess Diana in July 1981
But he was ‘thrilled’ when Charles and Camilla invited him as a friend to ensure he was there – a touching tribute to his service and a ‘fantastic honour’.
Their 19th anniversary will likely be slightly different to usual this year, as Queen Camilla supports her husband as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
Grant said: ‘Charles and Camilla are very, very close. Charles gets her opinion and looks for her guidance on things, he’s said he doesn’t know what he does without her.
‘They’re a team and I think that’s shown, they communicate a lot and that’s great, that’s what a couple should be all about.’
