The King has had a lot on his plate – his continued battle against cancer, the ongoing estrangement with his son Prince Harry and now getting caught up in international politics – have all weighed heavily on him.
But he seems to be sailing through it all with an aura of calm and a smile on his face that insiders say is due to one major factor – the support of his wife, Queen Camilla, 78.
“She is the type to say, ‘It’ll all be fine, let’s crack on and get on with things,’” says a palace insider.
“Yes, he has staff he can speak to about what he’s dealing with and to offer advice, but the Queen knows him better than anyone and he can talk to her about anything. She’s very good at geeing him along and keeping his spirits up.”
Royal biographer Christopher Wilson, who studied their relationship in detail for the book A Greater Love, says Camilla soothes Charles, 77, in a way that no one else can.
“Her presence reassures him,” explains Christopher.
“Despite all the trappings of majesty, it’s cold and lonely at the top, and it’s easy to see the comfort she provides him.”
Camilla, his constant support
Royal writer Penny Junor adds, “Camilla gives Charles the support he has desperately needed throughout his life. I think Camilla has transformed Charles.”
Her loving encouragement in tough times is likely the reason the King has seemed positively cheerful when seen in public so far this year. For example, he was sporting a beaming grin when he attended a church service on the Sandringham estate with Camilla by his side.
Sources say his wife is a great sounding board when it comes to the things that concern him, including his hurt over comments made by US President Donald Trump about the British Armed Forces, of which Charles is head.
Defending a proud legacy
There was a huge outcry after Donald, 79, claimed military personnel from the UK and other NATO countries stayed a “little back, a little off the frontline” during the 2001-2021 Afghanistan conflict. In fact, the UK lost 457 service personnel who fought on the battlefield and many people were angry about Donald’s comments, which they said undermined the British contribution to America’s war.
A furious Prince Harry, 41, who served in Afghanistan with the army and lost friends in the fighting, said, “Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.”
Quiet diplomacy behind closed doors
Sources say the King’s concerns about the hurt caused by the US leader were passed on to Washington via “private backchannels”, prompting Donald to recant and issue a message describing British troops as “among the greatest of all warriors”.
Royal correspondent Matt Wilkinson says, “Behind the scenes, a cool, calm and collected King Charles let it be known via established diplomatic channels Trump’s claims had caused hurt.”
Thinking about his legacy
Meanwhile, the King has addressed his own mortality, speaking about the legacy of caring for the planet. In the documentary Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, Charles speaks about his fears for the decline of wildlife in the British countryside and his hopes for the future of “this poor old planet”.
He commented, “By the time I shuffle off this mortal coil, there might be a little more awareness of the need to bring things back together again.”
He also mentioned the flak he copped many years ago for talking to plants, saying, “All this sort of thing was considered completely bonkers.”
Message of hope
She has been the King’s rock since his cancer diagnosis two years ago. Now Queen Camilla has extended her support to other patients with the disease during a poignant visit to a cancer support centre. At Maggie’s Centre in Gloucestershire, she opened up about the emotional reality of the disease in a touching speech, in which she talked about patients not having to put on a brave face.
She also spoke about the importance of a place they could go to that provided a “beautiful, comforting environment as they face the unknown, a place where they needn’t pretend to be fine, where laughter can come as naturally as tears, because sometimes that’s what’s wanted.”
Before Christmas, Charles announced that his schedule of cancer treatments will be reduced this year.
