Grant Harrold, once a trusted butler to King Charles, has left Palace officials less than pleased with his latest endeavors. His attempts to trademark the ‘Royal Butler’ name, paired with launching schools focused on service and etiquette, had already stirred the waters. The situation seemed settled when the Intellectual Property Office sided with the late Queen after her legal team raised concerns.
However, Harrold, now 48, appears to be back in the spotlight, causing fresh ripples within royal circles. Allegations have emerged that he is sharing potentially AI-generated images, disguised as authentic snapshots from within royal properties. Among these posts is a particularly intimate photograph claiming to show the Prince and Princess of Wales, William, and Kate, sharing a tender moment.
In an Instagram post, Harrold declared, “This wonderful photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales was taken when I first met them back in 2004,” describing it as “A true royal love story.” The image caught the attention of journalist Katie Nicholl, his co-host on Piers Morgan’s new YouTube series, Royals Uncensored, who echoed her admiration by commenting, “Love this!”
I can reveal King Charles’s former butler is accused of sharing ‘fake’, potentially AI-generated images that look as though they were taken from within royal grounds. The snaps, which were posted on social media, include an intimate photo purporting to show William and Kate cuddling.
‘This wonderful photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales was taken when I first met them back in 2004,’ Harrold wrote on Instagram, adding: ‘A true royal love story.’
The image was then shared by journalist Katie Nicholl, the ex-butler’s co-host on Piers Morgan’s new YouTube series, Royals Uncensored. She commented: ‘Love this!’
But a well-placed royal source is unsure about its authenticity, saying: ‘I can see why questions are being asked by others.’ Kensington Palace did not comment.
William and Kate’s relationship became public knowledge in 2004, when the couple were photographed skiing together in Switzerland.
That same year, Harrold began working for Charles at his Highgrove estate before being made redundant seven years later. He then received an undisclosed settlement after alleging unfair dismissal and workplace bullying.
He has also worked for William and Kate, as well as the late Queen. Harrold additionally appeared as a butler in reality show Country House. He has since become a regular royal commentator on TV. After I contacted Harrold, he admitted: ‘I did not take or own this image. It’s how I remember them in my early years in the Royal Household.’
The contr0versial photograph of William and Kate which is alleged to be fake and potentially AI
Boynton sisters are reddy for anything
‘Twinning while winning’ could have been the motto for sisters Lucy Boynton, 32, and Emma-Louise, 33, at the London launch of the latter’s book as they wore matching shades of scarlet.
And their outfits weren’t the only thing making a statement. The cake was a crimson showstopper, too – created by celebrity confectioner Lily Vanilli, whose famous clients include Kate Moss and Madonna.
Lucy, who split from her Bohemian Rhapsody co-star Rami Malek in 2023, described how much she loved her sister’s self-help book, Pleasure. ‘I cried the whole way through,’ she said.
In step ballet stars
They fell for each other playing the lead roles in Shakespeare’s ultimate testament to young love, Romeo And Juliet.
But for Royal Ballet members Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales, their star-crossed romance has matured into something rather more grounded at home.
Francesca, 33, admits life off-stage with fiancé Corrales, 29, requires just as much discipline as their work.
They became engaged in 2024 after five years together and now share a bulldog named Pablo.
‘We’ve got so much better at communicating,’ she explains.’ When we’re in rehearsal, if we are having a slight disagreement, we’re really good at talking about it now so that it doesn’t come home with us.’
Carol Vorderman is eyeing up a move into politics – but only under specific conditions.
The former Countdown star, 65, would consider entering the political arena if Andy Burnham challenges Keir Starmer for top office. She tells me at the Women’s Football Awards in London: ‘I’ve only just begun fighting. Only if Andy Burnham becomes Labour leader, then I’ll head into politics.’
Bond writer should go dark, says Bradby
Broadcaster and novelist Tom Bradby has some tips for screenwriter Steven Knight, who will work on the James Bond franchise for Amazon.
Bradby, 59 – whose espionage thriller Secret Service was adapted into an ITV drama starring Gemma Arterton last month – believes 007’s story needs to become darker. ‘I’d start at the beginning – the orphan, the psychologically damaged man,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure there’s another version that would be really psychologically gripping.’
It’s been a decade since Anne-Marie Duff, 55, divorced Scottish actor James McAvoy, 47. And the actress now admits she’s open to finding love again. She says: ‘I’d love to meet somebody, because I work better in a team and I am fun to be with. I am a good laugh.’
Fashion influencer Sarah Corbett-Winder, known as the ‘wardrobe whisperer’, has discussed her battle with anorexia
Sarah opens up about her anorexia fight
Fashion influencer Sarah Corbett-Winder, known as the ‘wardrobe whisperer’, has discussed her battle with anorexia.
The 40-year-old, whose mother Caroline Smiley owns the Princess of Wales’ favoured Cotswold clothing boutique Moloh, described the eating disorder as an omnipresent enemy.
Sarah – who lives with her entrepreneur husband, Ned, 41, and their three children at his family’s Vaynor Park estate in North Wales – opened up after attending a retreat in Austria.
In a social media post, she said: ‘I have an enemy called ‘Annie Anorexia’. Sometimes she’s quiet, sometimes she’s loud. But she’s always there in some way.’
