Prince Harry and Meghan Markle must “change the narrative” if they want to maintain a dignified role outside the Royal Family, according to King Charles's former butler Grant Harrold.
Mr Harrold, who worked for the King for seven years, spoke exclusively to GB News at his official book launch at The Rubens at the Palace, opposite Buckingham Palace.
Asked what advice he would give Harry and Meghan, Mr Harrold first joked: “Speak to Elon Musk, get a rocket to go to the moon,” prompting laughter.
But he quickly turned serious, stressing that the Sussexes needed to rethink their approach if they were to find stability in their public life.
Harry and Meghan urged to ‘change the narrative’ amid deadlock with Buckingham Palace
|GETTY
“No, I think they’ve got to change the narrative,” he said. “I think they’ve got to change how they do things and just become more… Look, I’m not saying they’ve not got strong feelings, I know they have, but somebody’s got to back down.
“And the King, you know, the household, they’re not going to obviously back down.”
He argued that the deadlock between the Sussexes and the Palace would continue unless the couple made adjustments.
“So I think what they’ve got to do is… I’m not saying that it’s right or wrong, they’ve got to do something, otherwise it’s just going to keep clashing,” Mr Harrold explained.
Grant Harrold spoke to the People's Channel at The Rubens at the Palace
|GB NEWS
“So they have to do something in order for it to go forward. Otherwise, it’s just going to be a mess. You don’t go forward.”
Mr Harrold shared his views while promoting his latest book, "The Royal Butler: My remarkable life of royal service", which draws on his years inside the royal household and reflects on the etiquette, traditions and personalities that shape life behind Palace walls.
His comments come as speculation mounts over whether Prince Harry will see his father during his upcoming visit to London for the WellChild Awards.
The event, which Harry has supported for many years, coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8.
Grant Harrold has published a book about his time serving the Royal Family
|GB NEWS
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Meghan and Harry stepped down as working royals in 2020 | PAThe Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and have since forged careers in California, producing television programmes, podcasts and books.
While their Netflix docuseries and Harry’s memoir Spare attracted global attention, the projects also deepened tensions with the Royal Family.
Mr Harrold, who witnessed royal life up close during his time in Charles’s household, suggested the King would welcome a peaceful resolution but would be unlikely to concede ground.