Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story

[tommy100]

Robert Hardman has a new book out. It looks in depth at the events around the late Queen's death. It is obviously well sourced, Princess Anne was interviewed for it.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12957313/Queen-died-Goodwood-Meghan-ROBERT-HARDMAN.html

Key points:

-Charles wasn't at the Queen's bedside when she died. He was out mushroom picking

-He was summoned back by Princess Anne. On the drive from Birkhall to Balmoral his private secretary received a phone call and on handing Charles the phone the new King was addressed as "Your Majesty" for the first time, signifying he was now sovereign

-Peter Phillips was also at Balmoral

-The day before her death the Queen spent in bed

-A audio only connection was set up for the missed Privy Council meeting. It was cancelled only as it was due to start.

-The PM Liz Truss was on a G7 conference call when she was called away to be told the Queen had died "they [world leaders] knew what was going on"

-Charles phoned William and was able to tell him and his youngest siblings the Queen had died on the drive from Aberdeen airport to Balmoral

-The Queen left a sealed note for Charles and one for her private secretary in her last ever red box

 

[TLLK]

Thank you for sharing. I'm looking forward to reading the serial chapters in the book this week.

 

[Lori138]

Sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing

 

[Somebody]

I'm trying to understand the timeline for Charles. Camilla and he were at Birkhall and went over to Balmoral as the queen took a turn for the worse (all her children were asked to come and a press release was sent out to the public; so, everyone who paid attention would understand what was going on; especially her son who was about to become king) - however, after visiting his mother at Balmoral, while everyone was trying to get to her bedside, Charles decided to leave again for Birkhall to go mushroom picking?!

 

[LauraS3514]

I'm trying to understand the timeline for Charles. Camilla and he were at Birkhall and went over to Balmoral as the queen took a turn for the worse (all her children were asked to come and a press release was sent out to the public; so, everyone who paid attention would understand what was going on; especially her son who was about to become king) - however, after visiting his mother at Balmoral, while everyone was trying to get to her bedside, Charles decided to leave again for Birkhall to go mushroom picking?!

According to the excerpts in the DM, everyone thought she had a couple of days left, not hours. The end came much quicker than expected.

 

[sunflowers]

IMO, it was quite strange behavior by Charles. Even if the Queen had a few days left, vs. hours, it would be expected to the son, especially a future king, to stick around, instead of going back to his mushrooms.

 

[VictoriaB]

IMO, it was quite strange behavior by Charles. Even if the Queen had a few days left, vs. hours, it would be expected to the son, especially a future king, to stick around, instead of going back to his mushrooms.

He did stick around. He was on the estate. Balmoral and Birkhall are on the same estate. He just wasn’t at the same house.He was told she had days to live, I don’t see what the issue is.

I was in Australia when my mum died in the UK. I had been with her in he week before but was advised to go back to Aus because the specialists could not say how long she had left and she died on the day I landed back in Australia. Like the King, I listened to the specialist advice. Hind site is fantastic.

 

[Villager90]

Charles and Camilla’s life was about to change forever. They’d sat with their dying mother for an hour. Princess Anne was present.

“Go for a walk Charles. Get some fresh air whilst you can” is a definitely a sentence that could have been uttered.

The entire population of balmoral knows that there would be no time for private grief for Charles. So what a lovely hour he had to contemplate the future and the past in nature knowing his sister is in charge caring for their parent.

I found it interesting that Peter Phillips was there and lady Sarah came immediately. Really special that the queen had the bond with Sarah until the end. I’m sure she would have been over to balmoral in the final days

 

[Hallo girl]

I'm trying to understand the timeline for Charles. Camilla and he were at Birkhall and went over to Balmoral as the queen took a turn for the worse (all her children were asked to come and a press release was sent out to the public; so, everyone who paid attention would understand what was going on; especially her son who was about to become king) - however, after visiting his mother at Balmoral, while everyone was trying to get to her bedside, Charles decided to leave again for Birkhall to go mushroom picking?!

They were actually at a fund raising event in Ayrshire when the call came, they went by helicopter back to Balmoral. I do not find it strange that someone on the cusp of the most important event in their lives would take time out to clear their head. Especially if they thought there were days left not hours.

 

[Hallo girl]

IMO, it was quite strange behavior by Charles. Even if the Queen had a few days left, vs. hours, it would be expected to the son, especially a future king, to stick around, instead of going back to his mushrooms.

I do not expect he just said I think I will go mushroom picking. IMO he decided to go for a walk to clear his head and gather his thoughts. This was a momentous occasion both personally and publicly.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Charles and Camilla’s life was about to change forever. They’d sat with their dying mother for an hour. Princess Anne was present.

“Go for a walk Charles. Get some fresh air whilst you can” is a definitely a sentence that could have been uttered.

The entire population of balmoral knows that there would be no time for private grief for Charles. So what a lovely hour he had to contemplate the future and the past in nature knowing his sister is in charge caring for their parent.

I found it interesting that Peter Phillips was there and lady Sarah came immediately. Really special that the queen had the bond with Sarah until the end. I’m sure she would have been over to balmoral in the final days

It seemed appropriate that Peter Phillips was there.
Peter is the very first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II.
He may have been lending support to his mother The Princess Royal.

 

[FigTree]

Was Lady Sarah in Balmoral when the Queen died or did she come immediately when called? We must remember it was David and Sarah who the Queen called immediately after her mother died to come sit at the bedside.

Peter would be there. The Phillips, Tindalls and Cambridges had just been there. His children would have returned to school and presumably to their mother and he had the luxury of staying longer. His partner also lives in Scotland so I presume now he spends a lot of time there when he doesn’t have his girls.

 

[Queen Claude]

I think that the people who were in Scotland when The Queen died, were there serendipitously, or at least they were not there because they anticipated that her death was imminent.

Peter was at Balmoral because he was hosting a shooting party and Lady Sarah, for reasons unknown (to me at least), was in the vicinity.

 

[Kaye1850]

IMO, it was quite strange behavior by Charles. Even if the Queen had a few days left, vs. hours, it would be expected to the son, especially a future king, to stick around, instead of going back to his mushrooms.

Clearly his purpose was the walk itself and the mushrooms were incidental ~ on my daily walk I’ll have a small bag with me, to pick up any litter I encounter. Not the purpose of the walk but makes it even more satisfying.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Having spent my fathers final days at his bedside, and my grandparents final hours at their bedside, i dare to say that i understand Charles decision to go out looking for mushrooms… We also took turns going outside or going home, doing different things for awhile, while others sat at the bedside…

It’s an emotionally draining experience and everyone will react differently to it

 

[Susan D]

I don't think that King Charles has modernised enough. He doesn't seem like the next generation.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I don't think that King Charles has modernised enough. He doesn't seem like the next generation.

What else should he do ?

I think he has done a stellar job since he came to the throne

 

[Granada]

Great topic and Thread. Can't wait to get the Book.

Susan, I think Charles has done a great job. In very tricky times and during a challenging transition from his iconic and beloved Mother. With grace, dignity and competence.
Beset with complications from a rogue Son and problematic Brother constantly in the headlines.

Honestly don't even understand what your comment means.....especially about Charles" doesnt seem TO LIKE the next generation".

 

[Kaye1850]

Great topic and Thread. Can't wait to get the Book.


Honestly don't even understand what your comment means.....especially about Charles" doesnt seem TO LIKE the next generation".

I understood it to mean “like the next generation” as “to be similar to.…”

 

[Elly C]

I don't think that King Charles has modernised enough. He doesn't seem like the next generation.

Not sure how this relates to the topic of the Queen’s death.

I missed the death of my parent because I had taken a short walk to clear my head after being at the bedside for many hours. I was terribly upset to have been absent and still feel guilt many years later. I really hope this doesn’t become a topic of news and even ridicule.

 

[tommy100]

I know of so many times a person, especially an elderly person, has passed away in a quiet moment when no one is there.

My great grandmother was very ill in the days before her death. She was a mother of 7, grandmother of 15 and great grandmother to 34. Everyone visited her in the days up to her death, someone was sitting by her bedside literally every hour. She passed in probably the only 5 minutes no one was with her. The carers said that often happens and they felt the person often almost waits to be alone.

Who knows. But I don't think it is an issue at all IMO. He and Camilla had sat with her for at least an hour before hand.

 

[Granada]

Thanks Kaye1850. I had INCORRECTLY read it as "to like".
But I still don't understand. No matter.

 

[Susan D]

What else should he do ?

I think he has done a stellar job since he came to the throne

His reign, so far, looks like a continuation of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. He doesn't seem new, a new monarch. It's only Queen Consort Camilla's non-white evening gowns and less wearing of jewels that are a change from the previous format. King Charles does not look like a next generation. He does work hard; I agree there.

 

[FigTree]

Sarah may have been staying there. There are loads of houses on the estate. She could well have been having an extended stay.

 

[Queen Claude]

Charles ascended when he was in his 70s, I would not expect him to be a modernizer. While I have no reason to believe he will not be a successful King, I think that he has mostly made his mark in his role as the Prince of Wales.

 

[tommy100]

Yes I suspect she might have been. I remember (and have checked and seen them again) pics of Sarah travelling with the Queen to church when at Balmoral end of September / October over a number of years so she clearly did go up regularly.
I wonder if this was her "turn" up there - or soon was to be her turn at the "big house" and she was in the meantime staying elsewhere on the estate or maybe even with friends nearby. I know we have never heard of it but it also wouldn't be out the question some sort of residence / property (or certainly use of one) on the estate went to Margaret and her children. The fact Sarah and her family and her brother were the only other royals to join the King & Queen on the 1st anniversary of the Queen's death makes we wonder if that is their regular "allotted time" on the estate.

Both of Sarah's sons went to the University of Edinburgh so there may well be family / friend links around and she was able to travel over when she heard the news.

The books seems incredibly well sourced so I don't believe there is a reason to think it is wrong so for whatever reason she was on the estate or close enough to be there pretty quickly in the aftermath of HLM's death.

 

[Granada]

Lady Sarah is one of my favorites. I always thought her personality - temperament VERY much like Queen Elizabeth, and by extension, that of her Great Grandmother, Queen Mary.
No drama, a thoroughly nice, likeable and dependable woman. With the artistic flair of her Parents.
I always look forward to her elegant, but understated clothing choices.

Nice to know She was there too.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

Death of a parent

Both my parents died recently, less than two months apart. My dad and HLM were born the same year. I had imagined some sort of “kumbaya” time when the whole family is gathered by the bedside sharing stories, singing, and having closure. Nothing could have been further from the truth in my experience and we have NO IDEA what it was really like at HLM’s bedside - nor should we.

My sister had COVID during my dad’s last week so it was just me and then my daughter joined me at his bedside. He’d been moved to a fabulous Hospice House. My adult daughter and I took turns for five days so that we could both sleep. The hospice nurses and chaplain said that they believed that people chose when to pass on and that many people died immediately after loved ones had stepped in the hall or gone to the bathroom. Others waited until everyone was there before dying.

My dad chose to pass peacefully with just his granddaughter present and it was an honored moment for her. I had just left, making a quick trip to the pharmacy so I wasn’t present. I got back in minutes and held his hand for an hour and prayed.

My sister and I sat with my mother for days and were told her death was not imminent. After switching off nights for a week we hired a Visiting Angel to be with her one night. She called me at 8:00 am saying my mom had a peaceful night and was resting well. I got there an hour later and the nurses said she’d just passed. So my mother chose to wait until she was alone. We were absolutely shocked; I was able to sit with her right after she died as well.

Death is a great mystery. Unless you’ve been through this with a close family member or dear friend, you have absolutely no idea the tremendous amount of physical and emotional exhaustion that you yourself will have.

I am very saddened by all the judgement I’m reading here about Charles.

 

[Granada]

Oh Dear Royalist.in.NC I am very sorry. Completely agree.

We were planning "extended" in home Hospice Care for my Mother. She died two days later.
We were told a few weeks. Nobody knows EVER. AND I might add, they, Hospice Staff were wonderful. Just great.

 

[tommy100]

Second extract in DM
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...harles-regent-Queens-years-secret-summit.html

The precise cause of the Queen's death, says a close friend of the family, will never be known because she had been suffering from multiple conditions in her final year.

'She had come to realise that the medical prognosis meant she was not going to emulate her mother and reach 100, so she had been determined to make the most of that [final] year,' says one friend.

'She made sure she had all the family up over the summer, so that the young ones in particular would always be left with happy memories of her.'

Serious and detailed thought had been given to the prospect of a regency, whereby Prince Charles might stand in for her if she was incapacitated.

'With the Queen Mother going on past her 100th birthday, of course we had to think that the Queen would reach the same age. A regency seemed almost inevitable. That would have been very difficult,' says a senior former aide.

From time to time, royal aides would draw up plans for a variety of regency options. These would range from 'regency-light' (with minimal princely involvement) and 'reversible regency', in the event of short-term incapacitation. Another question, at one point, was the course of action if the Duke of Edinburgh – who would have been on any regency committee prior to his death – had objected to a regency plan

News of the Queen's death – at 3.10pm – was delayed because there was still a list of family members who had to be informed. Finally, at 6.30pm, a statement was issued. It said simply: 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.' One of the King's first decisions was to ask Princess Anne to take charge of the house party now rapidly expanding at Balmoral Castle.

The Princess Royal would prove indispensable over the next few days. She was there when Prince Harry eventually arrived. She greeted him with a hug and escorted him up to the Queen's bedroom, where he was left to pay his respects to his late grandmother.

The King was determined to avoid any similar sort of vacuum. That night, he sat down with Prince William to watch what amounted to a training video prepared by his private secretary for this very moment. In 2015, Sir Clive Alderton had staged a mock-up of the most complicated feature of the first few days of a reign, the Accession Council, and had it filmed.

With so much political upheaval in the summer of 2022, there were very serious government concerns about possible civil disorder on Charles's accession as King.

'We had identified in our integrated review [that] when you transition to a new sovereign, it's a moment of peril for the country,' admits Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the Commons and Lord President of the (Privy) Council.

As the journey progressed, the Princess Royal and Sir Tim realised it was near-impossible to touch the refreshments at their feet in the car, for fear of appearing disrespectful. There was just one window of opportunity.

'We took a couple of bottles of water with us and something to nibble on because it was quite a longish trip,' the Princess recalls.

'But, to be honest, we could only have taken a drink from a bottle while we were going over the Forth Bridge where there weren't any people.'