King Charles' 'strict' rule over speeches as former butler reveals his secret nickname
"I am amazed that he’s never told me off"A former royal staff member has shared some behind-the-scenes secrets behind King Charles’ Christmas Day speech and other public speeches.
This week will see King Charles deliver his fourth Christmas message as monarch.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold spilled the beans on the monarch’s “strict” rule when it comes to giving speeches. He also revealed the nickname the king had earned himself amongst the Royal Household.
King Charles ‘strict’ over public speeches
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Grant said: “The king is a master when it comes to speeches. He will hand write them himself and then they are passed to his secretary who types them up and checks them.”
The king is very strict when it comes to grammar, spelling and punctuation.
While the Christmas message lasts under 10 minutes, it’s apparently something the king will have worked hard at, and far in advance.
“The king is very strict when it comes to grammar, spelling and punctuation,” Grant claimed. “I am amazed that he’s never told me off when I write to him because my grammar is awful, it shows the gentleman he is. But when it comes to his speeches he is strict.
“Once it’s typed up he would go through and make notes on anything he felt wasn’t right and the process would be repeated. Eventually when he is happy with it he will sign it off, this is likely done around October or early November. But changes can and will be made to it up until the last hour.”
The former butler added that it’s not just Christmas that is important to King Charles, but every speech he gives.
King Charles’ nickname
Even with the possibility of last-minute edits, Grant said that the monarch never has any trouble delivering his speeches flawlessly. This skill has apparently earned him a nickname amongst royal staff.
“I think he enjoys giving speeches, he is very confident. We knew him as ‘one take Charles’ because whenever he would do any film he would be able to do it within one take and he was famous for that among the royal households,” he said.
It appears King Charles has no reservations about watching himself back on television, either.
“The family watches it at Sandringham, historically the late Queen would go into a room on her own to watch while the family gathered but I think the king is more than likely to watch with everyone together,” Grant shared.
The King’s Christmas Message will air on BBC One, BBC Two and ITV1 at 3pm on Christmas Day.
Read more: How the royal family spends Christmas Eve and the gift tradition they follow
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