Former Royal Butler: Harry and Kate's bond was so strong a romance seemed possible

Despite their current tense dynamic, a former royal staff member once speculated that Prince Harry and Kate Middleton might pursue a romantic relationship after her high-profile separation from his elder brother, Prince William.

"Their rapport was exceptional," Grant Harrold, who served as a butler to King Charles III and penned the forthcoming book The Royal Butler (due Tuesday, September 23), revealed exclusively to Us Weekly on Friday, September 5.

"I recall when [Prince William] and [Kate] parted ways – and I believe I've mentioned this before – [Prince Harry] and [Kate] shared such a strong connection that I genuinely considered the possibility of Harry and her becoming a couple," he elaborated. "Their bond was incredibly deep; they were inseparable companions. It wouldn't have been out of character for Harry to consider, 'She's attractive, and my brother let her go, so I'll pursue her.' That scenario wouldn't have astonished me in the slightest. Thus, a pairing of Harry and Catherine seemed quite plausible to me then. However, thankfully, [William] ultimately won her back."

He further explained, "My point is to illustrate the profound closeness they shared."

Former Royal Butler Reflects on Prince Harry's Bond with Kate Middleton

Prince William and Middleton commenced their relationship in 2001, having encountered each other at the University of St. Andrews. The couple notoriously split in 2007, but they reunited in 2008 and subsequently declared their engagement in 2010.

"Initially, I was quite upset by it, but it ultimately strengthened my character," Kate remarked regarding their separation during a November 2010 interview alongside William. "You uncover aspects of yourself that you might not have recognized. I believe one can become quite engrossed in a relationship when younger, and I genuinely appreciated that period of self-discovery, even if I didn't perceive it that way then."

Rather than pursuing his brother's former partner, Harrold suggested that he thinks Prince Harry actively encouraged Prince William to patch things up with his eventual spouse.

"Harry would have undoubtedly told his brother, 'You're out of your mind.' I'm certain of it, absolutely convinced," he informed Us. "Everyone shared that sentiment, you know. We were all thinking, 'This is absurd,' because they were such a harmonious pair. And, you know, when they broke up in 2007, we all wished for their reunion. I was overjoyed when it happened."

Prince Harry and Princess Kate's Evolving Connection Over Time

Notwithstanding their former closeness, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton have maintained a noticeable distance following his rift with his brother and his father, King Charles. Subsequent to Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, relinquishing their roles as senior working royals and moving to California, the Duke of Sussex's ties with his family have been tense, a situation that persists even during Kate and King Charles' respective cancer treatments.

Harrold presumes that even with the existing distance, Prince Harry contacted his sister-in-law after her public announcement in March 2024 of an unspecified cancer diagnosis. (The Princess of Wales disclosed her remission in January of this year.)

"I'd like to believe he did. I truly hope so," Harrold conveyed to Us. "However, you know... I mean... he isn't a malicious individual. I would be utterly shocked if he hadn't contacted [Kate], particularly in light of her cancer diagnosis."