Queen Camilla Must Face This Common "Fear" During Royal Tour of Canada With King Charles, Per Former Butler

Royals: Just like us.

King Charles and Queen Camilla sitting on thrones wearing a blue dress and suit
(Image credit: Getty Images)

King Charles and Queen Camilla have made their first trip to Canada since their 2023 coronation, wrapping up a historic two-day visit to Ottawa on Tuesday, May 27. There's plenty of preparation that goes into a royal tour, as former royal butler Grant Harrold—speaking on behalf of Slingo—recently shared. But there's one aspect of royal life that Queen Camilla isn't so fond of, as Harrold revealed.

The former butler, who worked for King Charles between 2004 and 2011, when he was the Prince of Wales—said that along with packing and prepping speeches, The Queen must deal with a very common "fear" while traveling.

"Camilla is definitely not a fan of flying," Harrold shared. "While she has to travel all over the world, flying was never her favorite mode of transport."

He continued that he thinks "it's more the turbulence" rather than "the heights" aspect of flying that rattles The Queen. "But even though she has this fear, she deals with it when she does have to travel," Harrold added. The former butler explained that while royals get to experience a different way of traveling, there's one big "downside" that partially explains Camilla's dislike of flying.

Queen Camilla and King Charles getting off a plane in Canada

The King and Queen arrived in Ottawa on May 26.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Queen Camilla wearing a blue dress and hat smiling

Queen Camilla is "not a fan" of flying.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"When the royals fly, there are no security checks, no scanners, and no limited luggage," Harrold said. After enjoying "tea, coffee and biscuits" in a "VIP lounge," they "walk straight onto the plane without a ticket," he added.

"When you’re on the jet, you’ll be given a menu and can choose what meal you want," the former butler said. However, this comes at a cost.

"It's a jet, which means you get to experience luxury, and it's a nice way to travel. But the downside of these jets, when I would be on them, is they were obviously small and very prone to turbulence," he explained.

Harrold also shared the behind-the-scenes prep that goes into planning a royal tour. "When Charles travels, he's got to have the certain things he likes in his diet, or his meals that will be sent over that you can't get in the U.S. or Canada."

He added that "The King has valets who do his packing—I used to do valeting as well. They'll be the ones that are in charge of making sure his clothes are all sorted and he's got what he needs. There will be day suits, military uniforms, his medals, or possibly swords, depending on where he’s going. The plan is extraordinary."

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.