Kate Middleton and Prince William’s relationship has been branded ‘just like any other boyfriend and girlfriend.’

The Prince and Princess of Wales, who dated each other for a couple of years before tying the knot in 2011, loved making jokes with each other.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold says: “What I liked was that Kate, being a girlfriend and obviously not a member of the family, would be with me and the other staff and she was so polite, friendly, and fun and making jokes.

“I remember there were days I had off where I’d be running an errand or I’d left something up at Highgrove [House] and they were around, so you’d just catch up with them.”

The former butler added, “It was always fun and it was always nice that I got on so well with them because they’d then ask me to travel the country with them.

He continued: “When my phone used to go off and it was William, all my friends would be like that’s so cool, but to me it was normal. That was the relationship I had with them. I think it was really special and not unusual, actually, because in a private home you’re expected to get on with the family. As for the younger members of the family, you’re not employed by them, but you end up having a relationship with them as well.”