Make your house guests feel like royalty with these tips from King Charles III’s former butler.
Grant Harold He 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 his home fit for a king and queen and reveals the do’s and don’ts of entertaining and hosting dinner parties.
He’s sharing his wisdom with MailOnline Travel ahead of exclusive Q&A sessions and workshops with Warner Hotels across the country, saying “you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your home feel luxurious.”
From perfecting the proper way to serve tea to the transformative wonders of using bowls of mints, scroll down to discover how to add a regal glow to your home stay.
Give your guests a royal welcome
Grant Harrold (above) told MailOnline Travel: “You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your home feel luxurious.”
To give a “truly royal” greeting to guests at your front door, offer a greeting such as “good morning,” “good afternoon,” or “good evening,” says Grant.
Do this along with a “polite and firm handshake,” he continues, then “step aside and let them walk past you first before closing the door, offering to take their coat or jacket as they enter the house.” .
Grant, an advocate of the etiquette, also advises creating a “relaxing atmosphere” by lighting a candle or spraying a refreshing scent in the entryway and adding decorative pieces, such as thoughtfully displayed pillows or fresh flowers.
And “placing a small bowl of mints or chocolates near the entrance to your home is an eloquent way to welcome guests.”
Tea time: this is how to serve the perfect cup
Grant says offering guests a cup of tea is a “must” when it comes to etiquette. And always put the tea first.
According to Grant, offering guests something to drink or “eat” is an etiquette that “must be done.”
He says: “No royal welcome would be complete without refreshments – always remember to ask your guests if they would like a cup of tea, coffee or a cold drink before you sit down and prepare to enjoy your first-class accommodation.”
And when preparing a hot drink for your guests, certain rules must be respected.
To settle the age-old debate about how to serve the perfect cup of tea, Grant says, “Make sure you serve the tea first, followed by the milk.” This rule of etiquette dates back to a time when cups were traditionally made of clay and would crack when hot liquid was placed inside them, so the milk acts as a coolant.
“In my experience, that’s exactly how royals like to do it.”
Real talk
Grant says, “No matter how well you know your guest, it’s essential that they feel cared for as if they were meeting you for the first time.”
“The polite way to start any conversation is to ask your guest how they are doing before telling them about yourself, showing your appreciation for their presence and the time you spend together.”
Set up your dining table correctly
Grant says setting your dining room table correctly will create an “appropriate, elegant experience” for guests.
“You certainly don’t need to invest in expensive cutlery or extravagant placemats, but placing the table or dining area in the right location will create an elegant and appropriate experience,” says Grant.
According to the etiquette expert, plates should be placed in the center of the plate and side plates to the left of the plate with a butter knife on top of the plate.
And he adds: ‘Depending on the number of dishes, there should be three pairs of cutlery per person. Forks should be to the left of the plate, knives to the right, and the edges of the blades facing down. Place the dessert fork and spoon on top of the plate, with the tips of the fork facing the right and the bowl of the spoon facing the left.
Host a ‘really good’ dinner
Grant says guests shouldn’t have to lift a finger at a dinner party
“Any good dinner requires an exceptional host, and there are several important tips you should follow if you really want to give your guests a royal experience,” explains the etiquette expert.
Guests must always be seated first, and the host must ensure that their glasses are “well filled with a beverage of their choice” before sitting down.
And he adds: ‘Address your guests politely, thanking them for coming and then present each dish you have on the menu. When it’s time to eat, wait until each guest has their food in front of them before you begin eating yourself.
‘Ensure the table is clear between each course, removing used cutlery and napkins and replenishing where necessary. Your guests shouldn’t have to lift a finger.
What not to wear
If you want to look like royalty, Grant advises against wearing tracksuits and leggings
Grant says there are certain items of clothing that royals will avoid wearing in public, including leggings, tracksuits and jogging pants.
However, he adds: “These items may be fine in the privacy of your home, but when you’re out in public try to use items that are somewhat a king or queen will wear and Always remember to wear your invisible crown.’
Grant will share more real 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 everyday life at Buckingham Palace. The dates and places are: March 8 at Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, North Wales (three nights); May 31 at Nidd Hall Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (three nights); June 14th at the Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire (three nights); July 5th at Heythrop Park Hotel, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire (three nights); August 23rd at Gunton Hall, Lowestoft, Suffolk (three nights); September 6 at Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire (three nights).
To reserve or for more information visit: warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/live-shows/the-royal-butler.
Following Grant on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/the_royal_butler.