Former Royal Butler Shares William and Harry’s One Summer Activity Where Staff “Wouldn’t Get Involved”
Our take
The nostalgic glimpse into Prince William and Harry’s childhood summers, courtesy of former royal butler Grant Harrold, offers a surprisingly poignant window into the carefully constructed world of the British monarchy. The anecdote – that one particular summer activity at Highgrove House was deemed private enough to exclude staff – speaks volumes about the subtle boundaries and compartmentalization inherent in royal life. It’s a detail that resonates beyond simple curiosity about the princes' pastimes; it underscores the deliberate effort to cultivate a semblance of normalcy within an extraordinary context. This desire for a private sphere, even within the gilded cage of royalty, aligns with a broader cultural fascination with the idea of “refreshingly normal” royals, as highlighted in Two "Refreshingly Normal" Royals Are Supporting Prince George in His Next Kingship Quest, Says One Royal Biographer. The focus on George's upbringing and the individuals who offer him a grounding influence reflects a public yearning for relatable figures within the royal family, a desire to see them operating, at least occasionally, outside the rigid formalities.
The emphasis on privacy surrounding this summer activity – the deliberate withholding of staff involvement – subtly reinforces the idea of a family unit attempting to define its own space, separate from the performative aspects of their public roles. It’s a quiet rebellion against the constant scrutiny, a reclaiming of a small piece of personal autonomy. We see a similar dynamic at play in the evolving style choices of the younger generation of royals, as evidenced by Princess Elisabeth Pairs Princess Kate's Favorite Shoes With One of 2026's It-Girl Color Trends for a Royal Wedding. The adoption of contemporary trends, while still maintaining a sense of decorum, signals a conscious effort to connect with a younger audience and project a more accessible image. This seemingly minor detail about a childhood summer, then, acts as a microcosm of larger shifts within the monarchy – a gradual softening of the edges, a quiet acknowledgement of the need to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. Even the echoes of Prince George mirroring his father’s style, as discussed in Prince George Is Already Stealing Prince William's Style, as Young Royal Borrows a Key Item From His Dad's Closet, speaks to this desire for continuity while embracing a more approachable persona.
The power of this seemingly insignificant anecdote lies in its ability to humanize William and Harry, stripping away some of the regal mystique and revealing them as boys who, like any other, craved moments of unadulterated fun and shared experience. It’s a reminder that even within the institution of the monarchy, the fundamental human desire for connection and privacy remains paramount. The quiet luxury inherent in this revelation—the understated significance of a simple, unobserved summer—is particularly resonant in today’s world, where every aspect of public life is often relentlessly documented and dissected. The deliberate exclusion of staff, the unspoken agreement to safeguard this particular memory, speaks to a profound understanding of the importance of preserving private moments, even within the public eye. This isn't about scandal or revelation; it’s about the subtle artistry of maintaining a sense of self amidst the weight of tradition and expectation.
Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to observe how the current generation of royals – William, Kate, and George – further navigate this delicate balance. Will they continue to prioritize privacy and cultivate a sense of normalcy, or will the pressures of public perception and the demands of the monarchy ultimately reshape their approach? The anecdote about William and Harry’s summer activity offers a glimpse into a past where such boundaries were more readily maintained. The question remains: can that careful compartmentalization endure in an increasingly transparent and interconnected world, or will the lines between public duty and private life continue to blur?
Now that Wimbledon is over and school is out, Prince William and his family will be enjoying time at their country home, Anmer Hall, and heading to Balmoral for their annual summer break. But when he was younger, the Prince of Wales had another summer tradition with Prince Harry and their cousins, as former royal butler Grant Harrold recently shared.
Speaking to Coffee Friend, Harrold—who worked for King Charles at his country retreat, Highgrove House—said that summer meant plenty of al fresco dining at the Gloucestershire estate. “The royals definitely do have barbecues over weekend periods,” Harrold said. “I remember Prince William and Harry having their cousins over and having barbecues, and they would go swimming.”
The laid-back parties were a rare time when Harrold and the rest of The King’s Highgrove employees didn’t serve the royals. “We wouldn’t get involved, and the staff didn’t have to cook,” he shared, adding that William, Harry and the rest of their guests “would do it all themselves.”
Harry and William's BBQs follow in the footsteps of Prince Phillip, who was famous for his prowess with a grill, especially at Balmoral. Picnics at the Scottish estate were another time when the staff wouldn't be on serving duty, although the royal kitchen did prepare their food, as Harrold previously shared.
As for King Charles, Harrold said that his former boss “always likes to have breakfast outside in the warm weather” when he’s at Highgrove. “There’s like a little sundial garden, and there's a table, so it's quite nice that they get to utilize the garden,” he said. “I also recall some evenings where they would also enjoy their dinners outside if it was nice weather.”
King Charles has a reputation as a workaholic, but during the summer months, Harrold said The King keeps his routine a little more laid back.
“The King also works outside, so quite often be on a chair outside Highgrove with his phone and his paperwork and he’ll work away in the sunshine,” he shared.
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