EXCLUSIVE: Grant Harrold, the former butler of King Charles between 2004 and 2011, has said whether he thinks Prince Harry stands a chance of rejoining the family.
A former butler of the Royal Family has issued his verdict on whether he thinks Prince Harry will be able to return to the royal fold.
This comes after the duke, 40, has spent the last few weeks carrying out a string of solo engagements in New York City, the UK and Africa.
While it is believed Meghan Markle has not been by her husband’s side as she is instead at home with the couple’s children in Montecito, some believe this could be the start of something new for the couple as they head their own ways professionally.
Now, a butler who once worked with Harry and the King has said there could still be a chance of the prince returning to the Royal Family, adding: “Never say never.”
Grant Harrold, who worked as King Charles’s butler from 2004 to 2011, exclusively told Express.co.uk: “I’d like to think because of knowing how close they were that it’s possible, but I think the trust with the Royal Family is a big issue and I think in the back of their minds they are always going to worry.
“Never say never, time is a healer. I think it depends on what he does over the next couple of years if we can see him come back in.
“I’m sure his father would probably love to welcome him back with open arms, they’ve just got to be sure that what’s happened in the past few years is not going to happen again.”
This comes after the butler also said Harry was “very different” to what people expect royalty to be like.
He told Express: “When you think of royals historically, he was very different to traditional royals. He was very easy going and fun, he was often seen at the pub.
King Charles’ ex-butler believes the monarch would welcome his son back with open arms (Image: Luke MacGregor/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“There’s a local pub near where I am and you’d go and see him in there having a pint. I can easily see him having a burger and beer, he likes that. It’s comfort food, he loves his comfort food.
“He was great fun, I really enjoyed being around him and spending time with him.”
Prince Harry has not been a senior working royal since he stepped back in 2020 and relocated to California with his wife Meghan Markle. Since then, Harry’s relationship with his family has become fractured, especially after the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021.
The couple’s 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry and Meghan then created further problems, along with the release of Harry’s memoir Spare a year later. While it is believed Harry and his father are on speaking terms, the prince reportedly no longer has a relationship with his brother Prince William, 42.
Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles from 2004 to 2011, recently shared his perspective on whether Prince Harry could ever rejoin the Royal Family, despite the ongoing tensions. Harrold, who worked closely with both Harry and King Charles, believes there’s still a possibility for reconciliation, though it would require healing and trust-building.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Harrold remarked, “I’d like to think it’s possible because of how close they once were, but the trust issue is significant. I think the Royal Family will always have some concern in the back of their minds after what’s happened in recent years.” He added, “Never say never. Time is a healer, and it really depends on what Harry does in the next few years. His father would probably welcome him back with open arms, but they need to ensure the past won’t repeat itself.”
Harrold described Harry as “very different” from the traditional image of royalty, recalling how easy-going and fun-loving the prince was during his time working with him. “He was often seen at the pub, enjoying a pint or a burger. He loves his comfort food,” Harrold shared, emphasizing Harry’s relatability and down-to-earth nature. He described the prince as approachable and fun to be around.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family has become strained, particularly after his and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, followed by the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare. While it’s believed that Harry and King Charles are on speaking terms, his relationship with Prince William, 42, remains fractured. Harrold expressed hope for the future, saying that time might eventually bring reconciliation.
Ultimately, Harrold believes that the possibility of Harry returning to the royal fold isn’t entirely out of the question. However, it would require time, trust, and a shared commitment to moving forward without repeating the past.
