A fortune of £1.8 billion
The monarch’s wealth was estimated at the start of 2023, not from tax returns. Journalists from The Guardian produced a sweeping investigation into the king’s estate, concluding a value of £1.8 billion. After Elizabeth II’s passing, it was disclosed that this amount was at Charles III’s disposal in cash, cars, real estate, horses, jewelry, and other valuable possessions, including a rare stamp collection.
Inside the Windsor garage are 23 cars with a combined worth up to £6.3 million. The monarch’s property is valued at about £330 million. The royal jewels total £533 million, with 54 estate pieces belonging to the family. Income from investments and land rentals adds to the overall value. The royal family in Britain has historically enjoyed tax exemptions, meaning Charles III did not contribute taxes on his mother’s inheritance.
teddy bear in pocket
The teddy bear, a steadfast companion since childhood, is considered the king’s most faithful friend. He is known for carrying the toy during travels. Christopher Andersen, author of The King: The Life of Charles III, notes that the bear was once the responsibility of Charles’s closest advisor, Michael Fossett, who was the only person allowed to repair it. Mabel Anderson, who served as Charles’s nanny, recalled that relief on the bear’s repairs always felt like a sign of the king’s childhood returning. Fossett remembered that even as Charles grew older, the bear’s repairs often seemed like a delicate operation on a child still inside the man.
Disliking women wearing make-up
Prince Harry later described his father’s views on appearance in his memoir. In recounting their meeting with Meghan Markle, discussions touched on a preference for women with loose hair and minimal makeup. According to Harry, his father favors a simpler look. He also mentions that Kate, the wife of Prince William, was admired for a natural style. The account reflects how private opinions about style have shaped public moments.
Young love for Barbra Streisand
In his younger years, Charles admired American singer Barbra Streisand. A poster of Streisand once adorned his Cambridge dorm room. The friendship with Streisand deepened after they met in 1974, with the prince recalling a strong attraction that remained platonic in his retellings. Streisand has shared memories of their first encounter, describing how the future king joined journalists and photographers in a studio after sharing tea. The moment drew media attention at the time and has since become a notable anecdote in royal lore.
The singer recounts her first meeting in her memoir, describing the British press portraying the moment as a worldwide sensation. The anecdote underscores how early celebrity encounters influenced Charles’s public image even before his accession.
Pressure on the Prime Minister for fox hunting
In 2017, not long before a ban on fox hunting with hounds moved forward, reports indicated that Charles had written to then Prime Minister Tony Blair urging a reversal. Beyond public perception as an environmental advocate, he has shown a long-standing interest in traditional countryside pastimes. In 2002 he privately remarked that if the Labour government pursued a ban on fox hunting, he might choose to leave the country and pursue other interests abroad.
sleeping at work
The private side of royal life, as shared by Prince Harry in his memoirs, included moments when Charles was found asleep at his desk among a stack of envelopes. The image of a tired monarch briefly nodding off at work highlights the demanding nature of royal duties and the human side of a father and leader.
Headstand – liberation from pain
In another anecdote from Harry’s work, the prince describes his father’s response to neck and back pain. At Balmoral Castle, the king was said to perform headstands in his underwear under the guidance of a physiotherapist. These exercises were cited as a practical remedy to chronic discomfort accumulated from years of polo and public service.
Adultery
The extramarital affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, which unfolded during Charles’s marriage to Diana, became a public matter in the 1990s. The relationship was publicly acknowledged after Diana’s interviews and subsequent disclosures. Later, it was revealed that Charles began rekindling his romance with Camilla in 1986, while still married to Diana. A documentary in recent years has discussed when the romance began in relation to familial and public events, shedding light on the complexities of royal relationships.
loneliness of children
Charles’s childhood included moments when his father, Philip, served in the Royal Navy and left for duty far from home. His mother, Elizabeth II, carried the burden of rule and public engagement, often away on official duties. This left the young prince in the care of grandparents at Sandringham and later shaped a sensitive and reserved personality. A cricket bat given on his first birthday symbolized family expectations that he grow into a steadfast, responsible man.
King III. Remains of Richard’s nephews
The monarchy’s darker chapters include legends of skeletal remains associated with past royal intrigue. Historical accounts suggest the existence of two skeletal remains from a distant era, reportedly linked to a suppression of rivals. The bones were found in a hidden space and later moved to a royal burial site. For many years their exact identification was unclear. Some scholars questioned whether the remains belonged to close relatives of earlier kings. Elizabeth II reportedly resisted study of the remains, while Charles III did not object, leaving open the possibility that more information could emerge through future examinations.