The ‘Andrew problem’ and royal rifts have sent approval ratings sliding, but the King is deploying a lifetime of training to shield the monarchy from the storm
King Charles is said to have a ‘secret weapon’ in dealing with fallouts(Image: Getty Images)
The crown has rarely weighed heavier than some of the recent fallouts that King Charles has had to endure. From his son Prince Harry moving stateside to his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor disgracing the family name, he has had a tough gig.
Yet, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, the monarch has found a powerful shield to protect the institution: a “relentless” work ethic designed to drown out the noise of scandal. In October, Buckingham Palace announced Andrew would be losing his prince title and will be leaving his Royal Lodge home in Windsor.
It’s thought to be part of a plan to modernise the monarchy and ensure its legacy lasts. According to experts, the King is using his schedule as a strategic weapon to ensure the monarchy is handed over in “fine fettle” to Prince William when the time comes.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been ordered to leave his Royal Lodge home(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The late Queen remains a hard act to follow, having steered the monarchy through decades of crisis while maintaining high public support. Charles, however, faces a steeper climb.
The persistent headlines surrounding Andrew, the rift with Harry and Meghan, and the scrutiny of royal finances have seen public approval begin to slip.
Jennie Bond suggests that the King is using his schedule as a defensive shield for the institution. “The King is upping his workload to compensate,” Bond explains.
“He is a man with a mission: to protect his mother’s legacy, make his own mark on the monarchy and then to hand it over in fine fettle to his son, William, when the time comes.”
King Charles is said to want to retain his mother’s legacy(Image: WireImage)
By adhering to the late Queen’s mantra that the Sovereign must be “seen to be believed,” Charles is attempting to anchor the monarchy with a “steady hum of public service.”
Bond notes that his commitment is nothing new: “His own sons have talked about his strong work ethic, recalling how they often used to find him face down at his desk in a pile of papers as he dealt with correspondence late into the night.”
Charles is not carrying the burden of visibility alone. Bond highlights the Princess Royal as his most steadfast ally, noting that Princess Anne remains “at his side still working as hard as he does.”
“In fact, she did more days than anyone, including him, in the past year,” Bond points out, although her total number of engagements was slightly lower. “The siblings represent a traditionalist front of duty that stands in stark contrast to the controversies surrounding other members of the family.”
Charles was hailed by doctors, charities and members of the public for his rare public broadcast where he revealed his cancer treatment had been going well(Image: Channel 4 via Getty Images)
While the King’s workload is high, Prince William has faced criticism for his position in the “league table” of royal engagements, coming seventh out of ten this year. However, Bond argues that the Prince of Wales deserves understanding given his personal circumstances.
“I still believe we should cut him some slack,” Bond says. “After all, he’s the only working royal to have a young family and the only one to have a wife who has so recently undergone gruelling cancer treatment. There will be time enough for him to immerse himself fully in the business of monarchy.”
Bond also notes a fundamental difference in how the father and son approach the role. While Charles packs multiple meetings into a day, William focuses on “impact.”
Charles is said to be prepping the monarchy for his son Prince William(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis)
“William tends to concentrate on single engagements, sharply focused and sometimes quite lengthy,” Bond explains. “He wants to see concrete results from his involvement.”
Despite the “cushy” appearance of royal life to some, Bond explains that the King’s role is a life sentence of service. Having carried out his first engagement more than 60 years ago, Charles shows no signs of slowing down.
“Like his mother – who, aged 96, carried out her final public engagement just two days before her death – he will almost certainly be working right up until the day he dies,” Bond concludes.
By immersing himself in the business of the crown while battling cancer, Charles is sending a message of resilience.
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