Since Queen Elizabeth‘s death one year ago, King Charles has stepped into his role as British monarch and he’s letting it be known that he’s not just an interim ruler. Many have assumed Charles and Queen Camilla have been steadying the ship before Prince William takes over as reigning monarch alongside Kate Middleton.
A palace insider recently revealed to People that Charles and Camilla will “provide the best possible platform for William and Kate to go forward,” but Charles doesn’t really see himself as a “caretaker king.”
“He will be keen to make his mark in whatever time he has and champion those brilliant causes he is interested in—like the environment, sustainability, art,” the source said. “You don’t go into a position like that with an idea of how long or short it would be.”
Royal biographer Robert Hardman also told People that King Charles likely won’t “be blessed with many jubilees, but he has plenty of time to make a difference.”
While some of Queen Elizabeth’s traditions have carried on through into Charles’ reign, he has approached certain things in a different way. An example: During Elizabeth’s reign, she kept her distance while greeting the public, and royal experts have pointed out Charles is less formal.
An anonymous palace source told People, “He’s always very warm with people and is curious about their lives,” while respected royal author Ingrid Seward added, “His ability to engage with everybody is a real plus. It has proven he is the right man for the right moment.”
As for William and Kate’s involvement, a source said while Charles is “leading the way,” the Prince and Princess of Wales are “both involved in decision-making behind the scenes.”
“They are ready and willing to do the job—and Kate is very much a part of that,” an anonymous source (who also claims to be a friend of Kate’s 👀) said.
Assistant News Editor
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn’t draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks. Â