Leaning on his family. King Charles IIISon is the only thing that matters. Prince WilliamYour wife CamillaAfter inheriting the throne, his late mother Queen Elizabeth II passed it to him. A source exclusively says Us Weekly.
“King Charles calls Camilla his ‘tower of strength,’” the insider reveals. “[He]He believes she makes him better. This is obviously a challenging time for him as he transitions into a new era without his beloved mother and he’s incredibly emotional.”
King Charles III and Camilla Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Shutterstock
Charles stepped into the role of king following Elizabeth’s passing on Thursday, September 8. The late sovereign, who was the longest-running monarch in British history, “died peacefully” in her sleep at age 96 while at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, Buckingham Palace announced at the time.
Camilla, 75, walked out with Charles on Friday to greet well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace. Although it was a sad day for the couple who were married in 2005, it was also a significant one as they took on their new titles.
“[Charles] knows he’ll never outshine the queen and doesn’t expect to, but he does plan to make a difference in his own, unique way,” the insider explains to Us, adding that he has been “working closely with Prince William in a slimmed-down monarchy.”
Later, Friday saw the king make his first speech as the U.K.’s new royal patriarch. In his remarks, Charles officially announced Camilla’s new title and declared William and Kate, both 40, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, respectively. The Cambridges’ have also inherited the respective titles of Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales, which formerly belonged to William’s father and late mother, Princess Diana.
During his address, the king also expressed “love” for Prince Harry Meghan Markle as they “continue to build their lives overseas” in California — a moment royal expert Gareth RussellOnly spoken Us was an “olive branch” to the Sussexes amid royal tensions.
As another one of his first proclamations as king, His Majesty extended the country’s mourning period for Elizabeth.
“Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral,” a Friday statement read, noting that a date for Elizabeth’s funeral has yet to be announced. “Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.”
Traditionally after a monarch’s death, the country enters a 12-day bereavement period while staff uniforms change, TV comedy programs are paused and flags are flown at half-mast.
According to a second insider, while the “royals knew that Elizabeth’s end was near,” the family is “struggling to come to terms” with the reality of her death.
Prince William Eddie Mulholland/Pool/Shutterstock
While the king and Duke of Cornwall are balancing their new duties with their grief, the Duke of Sussex, 37, is especially upset about his grandmother’s death after he failed to arrive in Scotland in time to say his last goodbyes.
“Harry is guilt-stricken — full of sorrow and regret about not saying goodbye to the queen,” the source tells Us. “They met up a couple of times during the Platinum Jubilee, but he by no means expected it to be the last time he saw her.”
Although he officially retired from his royal duties in January 2020, the Invictus Games founder moved to the United States with his spouse Meghan Markle. He maintained a close relationship to the late royal matriarch.
“He loved his grandmother with all his heart and is going through a terrible time right now,” the source adds. “The news hasn’t fully sunk in.”
