King Charles ‘ridiculous’ pranks on staff spilt by butler
As of Saturday, April 4, 2026, a former royal butler has shared delightful new insights into the lighter side of life behind palace walls.
While the public often sees the formal side of the Monarchy, those who have worked closely with the family describe a world filled with laughter and occasional practical jokes.
The "Stony" Walk in Scotland
One of the most memorable stories shared by Harrold involved a hike in the Scottish Highlands with the King and a head gardener.
The "Heavy" Surprise: Harrold recalled a moment when the King requested that a rucksack intended for the gardener be filled entirely with heavy stones.
The Antler Addition: To add to the visual comedy, a pair of antlers was attached to the top of the bag so that they appeared to be sprouting from the gardener’s own head.
The Reaction: Harrold described the sight as "ridiculous," noting that the gardener struggled under the weight for quite a distance before the King, unable to contain his laughter, finally told him to take it off.
" If you’d seen it, you couldn’t stop laughing," Harrold noted during an interview with Marie Claire.
A Tradition of Mischief
The King’s sense of humor reportedly mirrors that of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had her own "inaudible" way of testing new staff members.
The Mumble Test: Harrold recalled the Queen once approaching him and saying something completely inaudible.
When he politely replied, "Yes, Your Majesty," she simply said, "Very good," and walked away. He later learned this was a playful way to see how staff would react when they didn't quite catch what she had said. The Biggest Joker: While the King and Queen enjoyed subtle mischief, Harrold identified Prince Harry as the "biggest practical joker" of the family during his younger years, often jumping out to scare staff or "winding people up" with water balloons at Highgrove.
The Power of "Shared Humour"
The King himself has recently spoken about the importance of laughter in diplomacy. During a state banquet in late 2025, he remarked that "British humour is no laughing matter," noting that shared characteristics—and even differences in sense of humor—are what help forge the closest international relationships.
For those who worked at Highgrove and Balmoral, these "mischievous bits" are remembered not as unprofessional, but as a way to build a warm and human atmosphere within a very formal institution. Harrold insists that despite his reputation for being "irritable" in the media, the King he knew was a calm, hard-working individual who always enjoyed making his team laugh.
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