The Christmas gift that King Charles “hates being given” has been revealed by a royal insider, and it may surprise you. It would seem that the royals are just like us when it comes to shopping for gifts, an insider who worked closely with Charles for years shares.
Grant Harrold, the King’s former butler, told The Mirror that Charles has very down-to-earth taste in Christmas gifts. He added that the number one rule when shopping for Charles is to stick to a modest budget.
“The King hates being given anything extravagant and expensive,” Harrold explained. “He’d be embarrassed if you spent a fortune on him. He’d say, ‘That’s lovely but you really shouldn’t have.’ So, at Christmas, I used to give him books on Victorian gardening or honey-based products because I know how much he loves honey.”
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The former butler added that not only do the royals like receiving affordable gifts – they also hunt for deals when doing their own shopping for loved ones.
“Everyone assumes the royals only shop in the poshest stores. But they go to the same shops that we do,” he shared. “I’m not saying they never go to Harrods – it’s said the late Queen did some Christmas shopping there with her cousin (the Duchess of Kent) in the 1950s but she would often nip to her local shops in Ballater village, near Balmoral. The royals enjoy a bargain.”
He added that you might be able to spot royals out shopping because they go during regular store hours.
“In the past, stores would close for Princess Diana. That doesn’t happen now,” Harrold said. “The royals are very discreet. They always have a bodyguard for protection, but people don’t recognise them because you don’t expect to see a King or a future Queen browsing in your local store.”
He does admit, however, that the younger royals are more likely to shop online than in-store, saying, “The younger ones, especially, are very savvy with online shopping, making Christmas shopping easier.”
When it comes to wrapping presents, Harrold added, “I can easily see Kate, William and even Anne wrapping their own presents but not the King,” he said. “He’ll have someone do that for him.”
Charles and Camilla share their 2024 Christmas card
It comes after Charles and Camilla shared their 2024 Christmas card on social media, with the caption reading, “Christmas is coming… 🎄✨ Their Majesties are pleased to share this year’s Christmas card, taken by @milliepilkingtonphotography in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace in April 2024.”
The portrait was taken in the gardens of Buckingham on April 10, the day after their 19th wedding anniversary.
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“Delighted to see that Their Majesties have chosen one of my portraits for their Christmas Card this year,” photographer Millie Pilkington wrote on Instagram.
Millie has photographed the royals on several special occasions, including of Prince William and his kids for Father’s Day and portraits for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
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