King Charles Let Prince George Have a Special Title He Initially Wanted for Himself: Ex-Butler
When King Charles ascended the throne, he had the freedom to choose the name he would use for his 2023 coronation. For the big ceremony, the monarch ultimately went by ‘Charles III,’ as confirmed by former Prime Minister Liz Truss. Reflecting on the occasion, former royal butler Grant Harrold noted that the King’s full name is Charles Philip Arthur George, and was leaning towards using 'George' in honor of his grandfather George VI. He claimed the monarch ultimately chose to forego George and instead go by Charles, to allow his eldest grandson, Prince George, the honor of using the name when he becomes King.
In his new book, The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service, Harrold recalled the King's dilemma behind choosing a name for the coronation. He wrote, "I had a conversation [with him] and he explained to me about [the] titles, he explained to me about why you bow and curtsey, and he explained to me about the different titles he could use. And we, myself and other colleagues, discussed it, and we were all convinced he would [become] George VII." The former butler argued that Charles’s decision to avoid the name might have been because of his grandson, who is second in line to the throne.
Harrold explained, "With his grandson George, maybe he felt he should be the next George VII. Maybe he feels that it would be a nice thing to let him have that — be the next George." He shared that he was, hence, surprised when the King decided to go by King Charles III. Explaining the dilemma, he added, "Because Charles II had a reputation as [being] a womaniser and Charles I lost his head (after he was tried and convicted of treason)."
In a separate interview with The Telegraph, Harrold also revealed an intimate conversation he had with Charles about assuming the throne, ahead of the monarch’s coronation. He shared, "He [Charles] said when that job comes, you lose a parent." Indeed, it was painful for Charles when the late Queen passed away on September 8, 2022, in Balmoral Castle, her beloved royal residence. The next day, Charles delivered his first televised address to the nation, where he said, "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
Speaking highly about his relationship with the King, Harrold summed that Charles is a "very gentle character" and someone who "works very hard and doesn't suffer fools."