An ex-royal butler has broken his silence after he shared a picture of Prince William and Princess Catherine that has caused controversy. Grant Harrold, who worked as a butler for King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales between 2004 and 2011, recently shared a photograph on Instagram of Prince William and his wife in the early days of their relationship.

Grant had not taken the photograph himself, but shared it on his social media and said that it reminded him of when he first met the couple in 2004. Sharing the photograph, which appears to show William and Catherine cuddling on a soafa, he said: “This wonderful photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales was taken when I first met them back in 2004. A true royal love story.”

Since it was posted online, people have questioned the photograph’s validity.

One person commented: “Oh wow, is it real or AI?” Someone else said: “I thought this was AI?”

Another user commented: “This is definitely AI.”

Richard Eden for The Daily Mail has since said he has contacted the ex-royal butler about the photograph.

Mr Harrold told Mr Eden: “I did not take or own this image. It’s how I remember them in my early years in the Royal Household.”

A well-placed royal source also told The Daily Mail: “I can see why questions are being asked by others (about the validity of the photograph).”

William and Catherine have not commented about the photograph.