Prince Harry’s portrayal of Queen Camilla as the “villain” in his explosive memoir Spare has been publicly challenged by a man who witnessed their relationship firsthand. A former royal butler who served King Charles for nearly a decade claims that the Duke of Sussex’s version of events is “far from reality.”
Grant Harrold, who worked for the then-Prince Charles at his Gloucestershire estate from 2004 to 2011, revealed that he often saw Prince Harry and Camilla sharing genuine moments of warmth and familiarity contradicting the tense and hostile picture painted in Harry’s memoir.
Speaking to RadarOnline.com, Harrold said, “The four of them, I promise you, got on so well. That’s why I don’t understand what Harry’s said, I really don’t. Because I saw them. I saw them having dinners together, I saw them having drinks together, I saw them going to parties together.”
According to the former butler, there was nothing to suggest any tension between Harry and his stepmother during those years. On the contrary, he described their dynamic as “comfortable and affectionate,” a relationship built on mutual respect and civility not rivalry or resentment.
His comments have reignited debate over Harry’s controversial decision to label Camilla as a “dangerous” figure who “sacrificed him on her personal PR altar.” In Spare, the Duke of Sussex claimed that his stepmother leaked stories to the media to rehabilitate her image after years of public backlash over her affair with his father.
At the time, Harry’s accusations sent shockwaves through royal circles, painting Camilla as a manipulative force within the palace. But those who worked closely with the royal family say his account doesn’t align with reality.
“Harry’s version of events often changes depending on what serves him best,” one royal insider told the outlet. “He bends the truth to fit his narrative. Those of us who were there know the atmosphere was far more positive than he’s claimed.”
The source suggested that Harry’s decision to target Camilla in his memoir was strategic, designed to draw attention and sympathy rather than reflect the truth. “There were disagreements, sure, but never the kind of bitterness he described. If anything, Camilla tried to make him feel included,” the insider added.
Grant Harrold echoed similar sentiments, saying that Camilla always made an effort to maintain a harmonious household. “She never tried to replace Princess Diana, and she respected Harry and William’s space,” he explained. “There was laughter, conversation, and respect not this cold hostility people imagine.”
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Royal watchers believe Harry’s ongoing resentment may stem from unresolved feelings about his mother’s treatment and the role Camilla played in that painful chapter of royal history. However, many insiders insist that the Queen Consort made every effort to earn the trust and affection of both princes over the years.
The timing of these revelations is particularly significant as public perception of Queen Camilla continues to improve following her steady role beside King Charles since his ascension to the throne. Her dedication and composure during turbulent times have earned her newfound respect even from those who once doubted her place in the royal hierarchy.
Meanwhile, Harry’s credibility has come under increasing scrutiny as several claims in Spare and his Netflix documentary have been disputed by those close to the royal household. Critics say his portrayal of palace life often appears one-sided, tailored to reinforce his image as a wronged outsider.
“Harry’s narrative has always been about feeling isolated,” said another royal expert. “But it’s becoming clear that not everyone who lived those experiences agrees with his version of events. And when people like Grant Harrold speak up, it chips away at the narrative he’s been selling.”
For Queen Camilla, the renewed defense from those who knew her personally serves as a quiet vindication. Once vilified as the woman who broke the royal fairy tale, she now finds herself viewed as a stabilizing influence — the very opposite of the “villain” Harry described.
As one palace insider summed it up, “Time has a way of revealing the truth. Harry may have told his story, but the people who were actually there are now starting to tell theirs and it paints a very different picture.”
