Prince William left in stitches after seeing his royal butler's 'strangely coloured feet'

The former royal servant had sought to improve his "pasty white" complexion but was left horrified by the results.

"Rather than the bronzed Adonis look I had been going for, I had to admit I looked more like an Oompa-Loompa," he wrote in his new book, The Royal Butler.

When Charles and Camilla returned to their Aberdeenshire estate, they were greeted by their distinctly orange-hued butler.

During dinner service that evening, the head butler pulled Mr Harrold aside with an uncomfortable message from the royal couple.

"I've been requested to ask you not to go back in tonight, because they've said the smell's too strong for them," his supervisor explained.

The overpowering scent kept Mr Harrold away from serving duties for two days. The spray tan saga did not end there, however.

That same weekend, Prince William encountered Mr Harrold in the kitchen and performed a "double take" before asking: "What have you done?"

When the embarrassed butler admitted to having a spray tan, William pressed further: "Yes. Why?" Mr Harrold's explanation that he simply wanted it done failed to satisfy the prince's curiosity.

With a grin, William enquired whether the tan covered his entire body. "Is it everywhere?" he asked. The mortified servant confirmed it was indeed a full-body treatment, prompting William to immediately follow up: "Is it on your toes?"

Without hesitation, the prince then requested to examine Harrold's tanned toenails, creating what must have been an excruciating moment for the royal household employee.

Feeling obliged to comply with the royal request, Mr Harrold removed his socks while his thoughts drifted to the Queen, who had recently washed people's feet at the Royal Maundy service before Good Friday.

"I wondered what she would have thought, had she been exposed to my strangely coloured feet. I probably had my answer," he reflected.

Upon seeing the butler's discoloured toes, William "burst out laughing." Mr Harrold recalled: "He thought it was brilliant - when he was finally able to compose himself."

Despite the humiliating episode, the butler's vivid complexion eventually faded, allowing him to resume his position.

Mr Harrold continued serving in the royal household for another six years, having first secured the role aged 25 whilst living in Airdrie near Glasgow.

Throughout his tenure, Mr Harrold developed a warm rapport with members of the Royal Family. He revealed that William affectionately addressed him as "mate" while the butler prepared a romantic dinner for the prince and his then-girlfriend, Princess Kate.

The "friendly" and "polite" heir to the throne also asked to be called simply by his first name, which Mr Harrold described as feeling "like a big deal."

Charles and Camilla similarly showed their fondness for the butler, presenting him with a card, a gift and an oversized chocolate coin bearing Queen Victoria's likeness for his 26th birthday, just two weeks into his employment.

When their 2005 wedding approached, Charles personally ensured Mr Harrold received an invitation despite his short service, placing him under his "friends and family quota."

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