From tin of salmon to salt and pepper grinder: King Charles’ ‘bizarre’ gifts to his staffers
LONDON: King Charles‘s former butler, Grant Harrold said that the monarch has a cheeky sense of humour as he gives ‘bizarre’ presents to his staffers on Christmas Eve.
In a conversation with the Mirror on Wednesday, the etiquette expert said “One time he left a tin of salmon and one year I got a salt and pepper grinder wrapped in a ribbon.”
Harrold, 45, has worked for Charles from 2004 to 2011.He revealed that the monarch used to leave the “unusual presents for the staffers” in their lockers’ “pigeon holes.
Harrold said that he found this “so bizarre” to receive such gifts from Charles or any royal.
Not only the employees, but the royals also give unusual gifts to each other during the holiday season. Once, Prince Harry in ‘Spare’, his memoir, revealed that other royals uphold the same tradition with each other. Harry had written that Princess Margaret once gave him a fish biro (a ballpoint pen).
Harry in his book wrote, “Meg had spotted it in a local store and thought I might like it. I held it to the light. It was Granny’s face to a T. I hung it on an eye-level branch. It made me happy to see her there.”
Harrold further shared that Charles gave his employees “proper gifts,” too. He has received tea cups and saucers or whiskey glasses from the monarch. “One year I got a lovely water jug,” Harrold said.
He revealed that royals also gave their staffers their annual “famous Christmas card.”
In a conversation with the Mirror on Wednesday, the etiquette expert said “One time he left a tin of salmon and one year I got a salt and pepper grinder wrapped in a ribbon.”
Harrold, 45, has worked for Charles from 2004 to 2011.He revealed that the monarch used to leave the “unusual presents for the staffers” in their lockers’ “pigeon holes.
Harrold said that he found this “so bizarre” to receive such gifts from Charles or any royal.
Not only the employees, but the royals also give unusual gifts to each other during the holiday season. Once, Prince Harry in ‘Spare’, his memoir, revealed that other royals uphold the same tradition with each other. Harry had written that Princess Margaret once gave him a fish biro (a ballpoint pen).
Harry in his book wrote, “Meg had spotted it in a local store and thought I might like it. I held it to the light. It was Granny’s face to a T. I hung it on an eye-level branch. It made me happy to see her there.”
Harrold further shared that Charles gave his employees “proper gifts,” too. He has received tea cups and saucers or whiskey glasses from the monarch. “One year I got a lovely water jug,” Harrold said.
He revealed that royals also gave their staffers their annual “famous Christmas card.”
