When it comes to families, we all have our own dynamics and one trait that most can relate to is some good natured teasing. The Royal Family may be, well, royalty, but that doesn't mean they aren't a normal family in many ways, too. And, it turns out, there is one thing in particular that Prince William makes fun of his dad for - even if he is now The King.
According to the royals' former butler Grant Harrold, there was a 'random thing' in particular that The Prince of Wales used to make jokes about. The King famously owns a prized Ast0n Martin which he received as a 21st birthday present from his parents. As we know, cars can be extremely damaging to the environment due to the fumes they emit but The King, being a life-long eco-advocate, came up with an ingenious (if bizarre) solution.
'The interesting thing about [the car] is that he had it modified in 2008 so it runs on wine and cheese,' explains Grant, who worked for the Royal Family between 2007 and 2011. 'He’s so conscious of the environment, and was long before it became mainstream. He was always looking for ways he could to protect the environment, it’s something he’s so passionate about.'
According to Grant, the unusual modification became the ammunition for some good-natured teasing; 'Prince William used to mock his dad for it a lot, in a loving way of course, but it’s just such a random thing to do.'
Grant, speaking via Select Car Leasing, admitted that the staff also saw the funny side of the environmental amend saying, 'We couldn’t believe it when we found out, we used to joke about it a lot in the staff room.'
While Prince William might poke fun at his dad about his Aston Martin, it doesn't mean he doesn't admire it. However, The King is 'very, very protective of that car,' says Grant. 'He never let anyone else drive it. It was a big issue as I remember both William and Harry wanting to drive it, but he wouldn’t let them.'
However, there was one very special occasion when King Charles relented and made an exception for his son. 'He let William and Kate borrow it on their wedding day, and that was a big deal.'
