The Close Bond Between King Charles and His Grandchildren
It's no secret that Prince William and Kate Middleton's children share a strong connection with Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who are especially hands-on grandparents to the young royals. The Middletons provide a sense of normalcy in the lives of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, the trio also shares a special relationship with their other grandfather, King Charles, who has been an active and affectionate figure in their lives.
King Charles, now 75, has five grandchildren through his two sons. He became a grandfather for the first time in July 2013 when Prince William and Catherine welcomed their first son, Prince George. The couple then had their first daughter, Princess Charlotte, in May 2015, followed by their second son, Prince Louis, in April 2018.
Despite his extraordinary role as King, Charles’ relationship with William and Kate’s children remains warm and personal. While his royal duties make his interactions with his grandchildren unique, he is still very much an involved grandfather. Both King Charles and Queen Camilla also play a mentoring role, helping guide the young royals through life within the royal family and preparing them for their future roles.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are growing up with a blend of royal privilege and family intimacy. From attending royal events like the Queen’s funeral and the coronation to celebrating Christmas at Sandringham, the children are getting the best of both worlds.
Prince George, Charlotte, and Louis affectionately call him "Grandpa Wales," a nickname that shows their close bond with him. Camilla’s grandchildren, on the other hand, call him "Opa," a playful toddler nickname that has stuck. According to Tom Parker Bowles, Camilla's son, the children simply started calling him "Opa" on their own, and it’s become a sweet tradition in the family.
Queen Camilla has previously shared how much Charles enjoys being a grandfather. She says he’s more than happy to get involved with his grandchildren, often getting down on his knees and crawling around with them, making funny noises and laughing. His playful nature was especially evident during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pageant, where he was seen making faces, blowing raspberries, and even sulking when reprimanded by his siblings. Prince Louis, with his spirited personality, even asked if he could sit with his grandpa during the event, leading to a heartwarming moment as he climbed into King Charles’ lap, much to Camilla’s amusement.
During the first anniversary of King Charles’ historic coronation, the young royals presented their grandfather with thoughtful gifts that captured their unique bonds with him. The emotional highlight of the day was when Prince George, displaying maturity beyond his years, gave King Charles a meticulously assembled family scrapbook. The scrapbook contained photos and notes from various royal engagements and private family moments, including handwritten messages from George himself. This touching gesture reminded King Charles of his own childhood and the deep connection he had with his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Prince Louis, known for his playful energy, chose a more lighthearted gift—a homemade video compilation. The video featured candid family moments, with many clips of him and King Charles enjoying playful times together. The compilation also included sweet messages from Louis himself, bringing laughter and a few tears to those present, especially Prince William and Kate, who were visibly moved by their children's thoughtfulness.
As George, Charlotte, and Louis presented their gifts, Prince William and Kate were overcome with emotion. Their eyes brimmed with tears, not only from joy but also from pride in seeing their children express such love and care for their grandfather. It was a moment that underscored a powerful truth: while the royal family is often in the public eye, it’s these simple, heartfelt gestures of affection that truly define their bond.
In this intimate setting, away from the crowds and scrutiny, the royals shared a moment of genuine emotion. It was a poignant reminder that the strength of their family lies not just in their royal duties, but in the love and connection they nurture privately among themselves.
