Make your house guests feel like royalty – with these insider tips from the former butler to King Charles III.
Grant Harrold was butler to the King and Queen Consort between 2005 and 2011, and his client list also includes Prince William, Prince Harry, and the Late Queen Elizabeth II. Here he reveals how to make your home fit for a king and queen and unveils do’s and don’ts for greeting guests and hosting dinner parties.
He’s sharing his wisdom with MailOnline Travel ahead of conducting exclusive Q&A sessions and workshops with Warner Hotels across the country, claiming you ‘don’t have to break the bank to make your home feel luxurious’.
From perfecting the correct way to pour tea to the transformational wonders of deploying bowls of mints, scroll down to discover how to add a regal sheen to your hosting at home.
Give your guests a royal welcome
Grant Harrold (above) told MailOnline Travel: ‘You don’t have to break the bank to make your home feel luxurious’
For a ‘truly royal’ greeting for guests on your doorstep offer a salutation such as ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ or ‘good evening’, says Grant.
Do this in conjunction with a ‘polite, firm handshake’, he continues, then ‘step to the side and allow them to pass by you first before closing the door, offering to take their coat or jacket as they enter the home’.
Etiquette defender Grant also advises creating a ‘calming ambience’ by lighting a candle or spraying a refreshing scent in your entryway and adding decorative pieces, such as neatly displayed throw cushions or fresh flowers.
And ‘placing a small bowl of mints or chocolates near the entryway to your home is an eloquent way to welcome any guests’.
Time for tea – here’s how to serve the perfect cuppa
Grant says offering guests a cup of tea is a ‘must-do’ when it comes to etiquette. And always put the tea in first
According to Grant, offering guests something to drink or ‘tuck into’ is an etiquette ‘must-do’.
He says: ‘No royal welcome would be complete without a refreshment – always remember to ask your guest if they’d like a cup of tea, coffee or a cool beverage before they sit down and prepare to enjoy some top-notch hosting.’
And when making your guest a warm beverage, there are certain rules to abide by.
Settling the age-old debate on how to pour the perfect cup of tea, Grant says: ‘Ensure that you pour the tea first, followed by the milk. From my experience, this is exactly how the royals like to do it.’
Royal-level chit-chat
Grant says: ‘No matter how well-acquainted you are with your guest, it is essential that they feel catered to just as though you were meeting for the first time.
‘The polite way to start any conversation is to ask your guest how they are before talking to them about yourself, which showcases your appreciation for their presence and the time you have together.’
Set up your dining table correctly
Grant claims setting up your dining table correctly will create a ‘prim and proper experience’ for guests
‘You certainly don’t have to invest in expensive silverware or extravagant placemats, but setting up your table or dining area with the correct placements will create a prim and proper experience,’ Grant says.
According to the etiquette expert, dinner plates should sit at the centre of the place setting, and side plates to the left of the dinner plate with a butter knife sitting on top of the plate.
He adds: ‘Depending on the number of courses, there should be three pairs of cutlery per person. Forks should be to the left of the plate, with knives placed to the right and blade edges facing downwards. Place the dessert fork and dessert spoon above the plate, with the fork prongs facing right and the spoon bowl facing left.’
Host a ‘royally good’ dinner
Grant says guests should not have to lift a finger at a dinner party
‘Any good dinner party requires exceptional hosting – and there are several top tips to follow if you really want to give your guests the royal experience,’ the etiquette expert explains.
Guests should always be seated first, and a host must make sure their glasses are ‘handsomely topped up with a beverage of their choice’, before sitting down.
He adds: ‘Politely address your guests by thanking them for attending, and then introduce each course you have on the menu. When it’s time to tuck in, wait until each guest has their meal in front of them before beginning to eat yourself.
‘Ensure that the table is cleared between each course, taking away any used cutlery and napkins and replenishing when necessary. Your guests shouldn’t have to lift a finger.’
What not to wear
If you want to look like a royal, Grant advises against wearing tracksuits and leggings
Grant says there are certain items of clothing the royals will avoid wearing in public, including leggings, tracksuits and jogging bottoms.
However, he adds: ‘These items may be fine in the privacy of one’s home but when in public try to wear items that are something a king or queen will wear and always remember to wear your invisible crown.’
Grant will be sharing more royal advice in a series of workshops hosted by Warner Hotels. Guests will have the chance to enjoy a relaxing weekend in ‘some of the UK’s most picturesque locations’ and get a glimpse into daily life at Buckingham Palace. The dates and locations are: 8 March at Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, North Wales (three nights); 31 May at Nidd Hall Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (three nights); 14 June at Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire (three nights); 5 July at Heythrop Park Hotel, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire (three nights); 23 August at Gunton Hall, Lowestoft, Suffolk (three nights); 6 September at Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire (three nights).
To book, or for more information, visit: warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/live-shows/the-royal-butler.
Following Grant on Instagram here – www.instagram.com/the_royal_butler.
