I was gutted not to be invited to Charles and Camilla's royal wedding - but the future king made it up to me with an incredible act of kindness
Twenty years on from Charles and Queen Camilla's wedding, a former royal butler has reflected on the disappointment he felt when he was not invited to their big day - as well as the heartwarming way the future monarch made it up to him.
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 on April 9, 2005.
All members of staff who had served the royal couple for over a year were invited to the ceremony. However, Grant Harrold, now 46, had only worked within their household for eight months at the time and did not receive a coveted invitation.
'I was with Charles, doing his morning service on the morning of the announcement, but he didn't mention anything,' Grant said. 'Then I went back into the staff room, and there it was on the news: "Prince of Wales to marry Miss Parker-Bowles."
'I was so confused because, obviously, he hadn't said anything. I later found out that I wasn't getting invited to the wedding because you had to have completed at least a year's service, and I had only been there eight months.
'All of my colleagues got their official wedding invitations coming in, but I didn't get one.
'Of course, I was gutted - I'd have loved to have gone - but that was obviously not going to happen.'
But it turns out Charles, then Prince of Wales, had not forgotten about his trusty butler and two weeks before the big day, Grant received an unexpected phone call.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold revealed the disappointment he felt at not being invited to Charles and Camilla's wedding
Grant, now 46, was not invited as he had only worked for the royal couple for eight months
Recalling the conversation to Prime Casino, Grant said: 'It was from this chap who was the finance controller for the household, and he said, "I've been asked to call you on behalf of the Prince of Wales and Miss Parker-Bowles."'
In an incredible act of kindness, the Prince of Wales had put Grant's name under his 'friends and family quota', meaning the butler could attend the wedding after all.
'I honestly didn't think I was going to get to go, so I was very emotional,' Grant said.
'I certainly was on the verge of tears. I was so excited to get invited to a royal wedding - I couldn't believe it.
'It's extraordinary to suddenly get invited to something like that.
'You pinch yourself, thinking: "I can't believe - I can't believe this."'
Lo and behold, Grant was in attendance when Charles and Camilla tied the knot at St George's Chapel.
Although it was televised, Grant described the ceremony as 'similar' to any other wedding.
Queen Camilla pictured waving to crowds on her wedding day on April 9, 2005
King Charles and Queen Camilla smile for the crowds moments after they were legally married at the Windsor Guildhall in 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
Charles and Camilla pictured with their children from their first marriages on their wedding day in April 2005
The royal butler turned etiquette expert and broadcaster said: 'The actual wedding in the church, the blessing, again, that could be similar to most normal weddings.
'I think the only thing that makes it different is that it was at Windsor Castle and it was the future King and Queen getting married.
'Other than that it would have followed a very similar pattern to most weddings.'
Grant has a unique insight into the royal couple's relationship, having worked within their household for seven years between 2004 and 2011.
'We see more of the real Charles thanks to Camilla - she's changed him for the better,' he said.
'She's helped him become more comfortable and more himself - I think we see more of the real him thanks to her.'
The Palace insider revealed that Camilla makes Charles 'laugh a lot' and that he is noticeably happier than he was in his first marriage to Princess Diana.
'I'm not saying he didn't laugh before or that he didn't have fun,' Grant said. 'But there was a point where he did become quite serious - probably when he was unhappy in his previous marriage.
Grant has a unique insight into the royal couple's relationship, having worked within their household for seven years between 2004 and 2011.
The ceremony was notably less lavish than King Charles's wedding to Princess Diana in July 1981
Charles and Camilla celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today with a State Visit to Italy
'Then suddenly, you see him laughing and joking and being more like himself again, comfortable with her. It is amazing, and she's been an amazing support to him.
'Not only a support, she's also very good at keeping him focused. She has a great sense of humour, and she does encourage him to be more relaxed and, I suppose, not take life so seriously to an extent.
'Equally, she supports him amazingly as a Queen Consort - she's very good at stepping in to help when needed.'
King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary today with a State Visit to Italy.
