Royal Butler Reveals King Charles and Queen Camilla's Hilarious Friendship with Joan Rivers

Prior to her passing in 2014, King Charles III and Queen Camilla cultivated a deep and lasting friendship with the late Joan Rivers.

According to an exclusive excerpt from his forthcoming memoir, The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service, obtained by Us Weekly, former royal butler Grant Harrold shared that "Charles first encountered the sharp-tongued comedian — celebrated in America for her candid humor and her memorable critiques of famous figures on red carpets at glamorous events — through mutual acquaintances in 2003, during a painting retreat in the south of France."

Following their initial meeting, Rivers, then 76, affectionately referred to Charles as “darling,” despite having previously "mocked" him. Charles, for his part, affectionately called the comedian “Miss Potty Mouth,” Harrold revealed.

Harrold further noted, "Joan also quickly formed a bond with Camilla, which led to her being a guest at their 2005 wedding and a frequent attendee at various royal occasions, including a performance at the comedy show for his 60th birthday," adding that Rivers "grew incredibly close" with the late Queen Elizabeth II as well.

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Harrold added, “Publicly, she fervently championed the [king], once stating, ‘He is so charming, so humorous. All the interests that everyone used to ridicule him for — organic produce, architectural design, talking to plants — we now embrace. He is truly ahead of his time, an exceptionally intelligent individual, and I deeply admire him’ — remarks that anyone who got to know him would concur with.”

Rivers passed away at age 81 in September 2014, following complications during a routine throat procedure. Charles and Camilla released a statement at the time, conveying their “profound sorrow” over Rivers’ death and subsequently paid tribute to the esteemed comedienne.

“Joan Rivers possessed an exceptional character with a distinctive and tireless spirit, an irrepressible wit, and an immense enthusiasm for existence,” the statement continued. “She will be profoundly missed and completely irreplaceable.”

In a 2010 feature with New York Magazine, Rivers humorously commented that while she was friends with Charles, she wasn't part of the royal family’s “inner circle.” “Outer-inner circle,” Rivers quipped, mentioning that he would send her teacups every year for Christmas.

She recounted, “One year, I took a picture under my Christmas tree with the teacups and wrote, ‘Why would you send me two teacups when I’m by myself?’ On another occasion, I wrote, ‘I’m having tea with my dearest companion!’ and submitted a photograph of myself in a graveyard.” She then added, “He never acknowledges it!”

The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service is scheduled for publication on Tuesday, September 23.