Little is known about the intimate details of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla’s nuptials. The royals, both divorcés, tied the knot in a small ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in 2005, before receiving an official blessing at St George’s Chapel.
The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend their son’s civil wedding ceremony. According to the Telegraph, the Queen bowed out because of her role as head of the Church of England, which discourages divorce.
However, the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle later that day, showing that they very much approved of the union.
In an interview with former royal butler Grant Harrold, who just so happened to be invited to the royals’ wedding reception. Grant, who hadn’t been part of the royal household long enough to be on the rota to work as a butler during the royal wedding, was given a personal invitation by Charles and Camilla.
Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Grant revealed a little-known detail from behind the scenes at the now King and Queen’s nuptials.
“There’s no record of it because it all happened behind closed doors, but the Queen actually did a speech at the reception,” explained Grant. “She had everyone in stitches. I remember thinking ‘well, this is the best comedy act I’ve seen in years’.
“She just shared several fun, great stories and family memories. At that point, she would have been in her eighties but you would never have known,” recalled the former royal butler.
Then-Prince Charles met Camilla Shand, both 23, at a polo match in 1970, and they dated before the King-to-be was called away on naval duties overseas. He didn’t ask his girlfriend to wait for him, and she went on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973.
