FIVE DAY BUTLER TRAINING COURSE

This comprehensive five-day course will give students a detailed understanding and
practical experience of the role of a traditional Butler. This will include all the skills
required for the 21st Century Butler in both commercial and private environments.
 MONDAY DAY ONE

0900 Hours – Introduction with a Health & Safety Briefing

0930 Hours – Tour of The Private Quarters

1030 Hours – Lecture Room for Butler Etiquette

Etiquette for meeting and greeting guest from The Butler’s perspective
Meeting, greeting, handshakes and kissing etiquette
Being confident, delivering good first impressions and making introductions
How to enter a room correctly, showing positive body language and correct deportment
Managing business and personal cards and using the correct titles

1130 Hours – The role of The Butler in the 21st Century

The Running of a Private Household

The chain of command and the duties that are required
Understanding the boundaries of a Butler and the duties within those boundaries
Correct interaction with fellow staff and employees
Different types of employment and households
Discretion and confidentiality obligations

1230 Hours – Lunch in The Stable Café

1330 Hours – Afternoon Tea Class

Laying up an afternoon tea table correctly

Serving the afternoon tea
How to eat afternoon tea in the correct manner
Clearing the afternoon tea
Sandwich making and fillings
Cakes and preserves
Various types of afternoon tea
Napkin folding

1630 Hours – Finish

 TUESDAY DAY TWO

0930 Hours – In House – An introduction to basic kitchen knowledge

Kitchen familiarisation, hygiene and cross contamination

Handling allergies and complaints
Essential first aid kits
Food operations for a Butler

1000 Hours – In House – An introduction to The Butler’s pantry and the dining room

Laying the dining room table for breakfast showing the correct use of cutlery, china and glassware
Preparation of the breakfast dishes for The Chef
Preparations of the trays for the breakfast dishes
Laying the ladies breakfast trays
Breakfast service
Clearing the breakfast table

1230 Hours – Lunch in The Stable Café

1330 Hours – In House – An introduction to The Butler’s pantry and the dining room continued

Laying the dining room table for lunch showing the correct use of cutlery, china and glassware
Preparation of the lunch service dishes for The Chef
Lunch Service
Clearing the lunch table
Laying the dining room table for dinner showing the correct use of cutlery, china and glassware
Preparation of the dinner service dishes for The Chef
Dinner Service
Clearing the dinner table
Care and storage of cutlery, china and glassware

1530 Hours – The Butlers pre-meal duties

Setting of the family rooms for breakfast, lunch and dinner

1630 Hours - Finish

 WEDNESDAY DAY THREE

0930 Hours – In House – Housekeeping

Tidying, cleaning and preparing the downstairs rooms ready for the family and guest when they get up
Tidying and cleaning the bedrooms and bathrooms once the family and guests have risen for the day
Stripping the beds and making up the beds
Preparing the bedrooms and bathrooms for when the family and guests retire for the night

1230 Hours – Lunch in The Orangery

1330 Hours – In House – Valet duties

The modern-day dressing room

Unpacking a guest or a returning member of The Family
Care and storage of jewellery
Talk about the different types of laying out depending on the days activities and dress codes
Laying out a set of clothing
Assisting a guest
Pack a suitcase

1500 Hours – In House – Laundry Room

Valeting, pressing and ironing

Care of bedding and towels
Removing of stains and wax

1630 Hours - Finish

 THURSDAY DAY FOUR

0930 Hours – 1700 Hours

Orangery Lunch 1230 – 1330 Hours

AN INTRODUCTORY WINE COURSE

For individuals new to wine study this introdutory course provides a hands-on insight into the world of
wine. You will explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell and taste, while also
gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately and make food and wine pairings. Upon
successful completion you will receive a Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book.
 FRIDAY DAY FIVE

0930 Hours – Silver and brass cleaning

A practical guide to cleaning silver and brass

Cleaning duties
The handling of precious items

1100 Hours – Shoe cleaning, care and repairing

A guide to different materials used for shoes

How to clean shoes
How to store shoes
Shoe repairs.

1230 Hours – Lunch in The Orangery

1330 Hours – Review of The Introductory Course

Discuss the weeks course

Being reprimanded and disciplinary hearings
Questions and answers

1500 Hours – Certificate ceremony

Present certificates
Photos

1600 Hours - Finish

 PRIMARY TUTORS

HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia

Princess Katarina is a member of two Royal Dynasty’s. She is a member of The British Royal Family and The
Serbian Royal Family. Princess Katarina was born in London the daughter of HRH Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia
and HRH Princess Margarita of Baden. Her father Prince Tomislav was the second son of King Alexander The 1 st
of Yugoslavia who married Maria, the daughter of King Ferdinand The 1st of Romania. He was the younger brother
of the last King of Yugoslavia Peter II who was forced into exile from his country during The Second World War.

Grant Harrold The Royal Butler

Grant Harrold TRB is a former Royal Butler to HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall,
and previously was The Butler/PA to His Grace The 15 th Duke of Bedford. He has also worked for Royals,
VIPs, celebrities and the nobility in private households and stately homes across the UK, many of whom
are now his clients and associates. Grant is now a broadcaster, Royal commentator & etiquette expert.
 ADDITIONAL TUTORS

Mr Timothy Mayhew – Butler Trainer

Timothy is a former Butler with 38 years’ experience, his last post being with The Late 11th Duke of
Marlborough from October 1996 until October 2014. He is now an Operations Manager for Special Tours
at Blenheim Palace.

Mrs Ronnie Hodges – Housekeeper

Ronnie is the former Housekeeper to Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of
Cornwall. Ronnie is now our senior Housekeeper Tutor.

Mr Visen Amenden – Chef

Visen is the former chef to The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. He is now a private Chef
and a tutor.

Mrs Clare Felton – Wine Tutor

Clare is our in-house wine expert and is the perfect tutor to teach you all about the care, storage and service
of wines and beverages found in a private home or a high-end restaurant or hotel.

Supplementary Tutors

Additional staff at Blenheim Palace may join us throughout the course to impart their knowledge and help
with the tutorials.
 PLEASE NOTE

Times

Monday 0900-1630 Hours

Tuesday 0930-1630 Hours
Wednesday 0930-1630 Hours
Thursday 0930-1700 Hours
Friday 0930-1600 Hours

Lunches and Breaks

A morning working break of tea, coffee and bites will be provided

A sit down lunch will be provided the venue may vary from that stated depending on the days activity
An afternoon working break of tea, coffee and bites will be provided
Bottled water will be available throughout the course

Tutors

Grant Harrold will be with you throughout the course and HRH Princess Katarina will be with you for two
days of the course. Additional tutors will be with you as and when required. There may be occasions when
the listed additional tutors may not be available, if this is the case a tutor of equal abilities will be provided.

Skill Sets

Throughout the week you will be assessed on your performance as you complete each day, this will not
just be on your abilities, but also your attentiveness, demeanor and attitude – as these are also
characteristic of a professional Butler. On the last day you will be tested on the knowledge you have gained
throughout the course in a question-and-answer session. You will then be issued paperwork with the signed
off skill sets. This will allow you the ability to identify areas that you may need additional support in going
forward.

Association

HRH Princess Katarina and Grant Harrold together run The Royal School of Butlers at Blenheim Palace
through a unique partnership with Grant Harrold The Royal Butler.
PHOTO GALLERY