King Charles was once 'headbutted' by ex-girlfriend who had two strict royal protocols

King Charles was once 'headbutted' by ex-girlfriend who had two strict royal protocols Royal biographer Catherine Mayer has shared a behind-the-scenes story about King Charles being accidentally headbutted by an ex-girlfriend who was following two strict royal protocol A journalist behind a bestselling biography on King Charles has lifted the lid on what it was truly like observing members of the Royal Family behind closed doors — and how they continue to observe strict protocols even when no one is watching. Catherine Mayer, who has since penned a new book, revealed that a former girlfriend of Charles accidentally headbutted the then-prince — all while adhering to two rules she was required to follow every time she was in his company. She explained that she had been "lucky enough to see royals behind-closed-doors" and had once assumed that they "kind of kick off protocol along with their shoes" once the cameras stopped rolling — but insisted this was far from the reality she witnessed. Speaking on A Right Royal Podcast, presented by Hello!, she said: "I talked to one of Charles's old girlfriends who, that was for the biography I wrote of him, and she told me this really funny story about how they were all in this room waiting for him to come and you know they're all smoking out windows and you know being young people. "And as soon as he arrived in the room they all kind of went like that and had to call him sir and then she was supposed to curtsy to him and call him sir whenever she met him even though she was like his girlfriend. "So she goes to curtsy just as he leans forward to kiss her. He leans forward to kiss her and she gives him a Glasgow kiss." She frequently refers to the Royal Family as "planet Windsor" and her latest book, Divide & Rule, takes an in-depth look at the lives of eight royal women, including Meghan Markle, Princess Diana and Princess Kate. The journalist, who wrote the bestselling Charles: The Heart of A King in 2015, went on to describe her own encounters with royal protocols, saying she still finds them somewhat profound. She explained: "I went with my husband to the state banquet and we were just... the whole experience of being announced into the room is just such a funny thing, but they all do this. "I mean, obviously the state banquet is a formal thing, but they do it at other kind of formal receptions. They absolutely do." Her newest title, which shines a light on the complex and frequently misunderstood lives of British royal women, is available to purchase now. Speaking to The Telegraph, she also revealed one particular discovery that caught her off guard during her research. She said: "I ended up feeling incredibly sorry for Diana. I understand how she made the mistake of thinking she could find happiness within the institution. I think you basically need your head examined to want to be a part of it.. "The really good thing that Kate and William have done is they've tried to give their children some taste of normality."