Royal Butler Reveals How Camilla 'Changed' King Charles — and Helped the World See the 'Real Him'
Queen Camilla’s journey alongside King Charles has been shaped by decades of public scrutiny and personal challenges. When their relationship first became public, Camilla was seen as an unsuitable match for the then-Prince of Wales, as many doubted whether she would ever find acceptance in the royal household. However, despite the scrutiny and a relationship marked by uncertainty, Camilla has become a central figure in the King’s life. A royal butler even noted that she has had a noticeably positive influence on Charles.
As reported by Marie Claire, Grant Harrold, who served as Charles’s butler from 2004 to 2011, described how Camilla’s presence helped the King become more relaxed and authentic. “She’s helped him become more comfortable and more himself. I think we see more of the real him thanks to her,” Harrold said.
He added, “She makes him laugh a lot. We always see him laughing now. I’m not saying he didn’t laugh before, or he didn’t have fun, but there was a point where he did become quite serious, probably when he was extremely unhappy in his previous marriage.” Charles and Camilla, earlier this year, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, having married in April 2005.
Camilla allegedly also helps Charles during public events, especially when he talks too much when meeting people. She gently reminds him to move on, sometimes with a tap of her handbag, royal sources have stated. Harrold also said, “She’s not only a support, she’s also very good at keeping him focused.” Their Majesties are often seen laughing together, and Harrold said that Charles now laughs and jokes more with Camilla and is more at ease. “Suddenly, you see him laughing and joking and being more like himself again, and comfortable with her. It is amazing, and she’s been an amazing support to him.”
Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, has also shared a similar view in an interview with Hello! magazine. He said his mother’s marriage to Charles was not about any 'endgame' but love. “I think change happens, but I don’t care what anyone says. This wasn’t any sort of endgame. She married the person she loved, and this is what happened,” he argued. The 50-year-old also described how protective he felt seeing his mother under strong media pressure. “My mother being screamed at to try to get a reaction. Pushing, jostling. It was horrific, and you are protective of your mother.”
Reflecting on his relationship with his stepfather, Bowles said the Palace and Charles supported his book, Cooking and the Crown. He called the King “the kindest, most knowledgeable, lovely man. He is someone you can ask about food, and it’s like asking an academic.” Talking about Camilla and Charles as a team, he continued, “They're very well suited. They work well together, and we're happy that our mother’s happy.” That harmony was also reflected in Charles's special gift to Camilla, on her 78th birthday. To mark the occasion, he appointed her as the new Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom.