We have known Kate Middleton as a public figure for 20 years. Her public persona is friendly and approachable, almost always with a smile on her face.

Grand Harold, a former royal butler, has been by Kate and Prince William's side since the early days of their relationship, and according to the Mirror, their relationship was "like no other" and "like a normal boyfriend and girlfriend." (They met as students at the University of St. Andrews in 2001 and were together by 2003.)

"They were no different from anyone else," he says. 'It drives me crazy to say that, considering who they were, but there was no difference.' [Kate adds, "They were with me and the rest of the staff and were very polite, friendly, joking and fun. I remember Kate being around when I had an errand to run on my day off or when I forgot something at Highgrove [House]. It was always fun and it was nice to get to know them. When my phone went off and it was William, all my friends would say, 'That's cool,' but to me it was normal. That was my relationship with them."

Behind closed doors, Harold says. 'I think it was really special, and in fact, not uncommon. As far as the younger members of the family, you are not employed by them, but you do have a relationship with them as well. Very few royals actually know each other, so you feel fortunate that you are trusted."

Harold worked for then-Prince Charles for seven years, during which time Kate and Camilla Parker-Bowles joined the royal family. (Prince Charles and Camilla were together much longer, eventually marrying in 2005.) ) "Some people say seven years isn't long," he says, "but in the world of butlers, having someone living in your house with you for seven years is pretty intense.

He was also present for William and Kate's (thankfully short-lived) breakup in 2007. 'Luckily, they got back together.'

Daily life as a royal butler, he says, "was like something you would see in Downton Abbey. "A butler is the one who takes care of the family (albeit a rather famous one), looks after the guests, and serves them food and drink. ...... But what people don't realize is that you are also like a personal assistant and are expected to (facilitate) things for them. If you can do something for someone and it doesn't affect their day, then you are a good butler. They want someone who makes things happen." [15][16] Harold looked after not only William and Kate, but also Prince Harry, and became close with the trio, who were incredibly close at the time, outside of official duties: "We went to the same pubs and had many of the same friends. 'I always knew who they were and respected them. Seeing them as family and as senior royalty, it's so strange now to think that when I was with them, they were still fresh out of college."