I worked for King Charles – 1 thing didn’t change when he became King

Nearly four years after becoming monarch, King Charles has taken on a demanding schedule of royal duties. But according to a former Highgrove gardener, one important part of his life remained exactly the same after he succeeded Queen Elizabeth II.

Charles became King following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022, with his official Coronation taking place in 2023. Since then, he has continued carrying out the duties and responsibilities that had been central to his mother’s reign.

His diary has included hundreds of engagements across the UK and around the world, and the King is known for maintaining an exceptionally busy schedule. It has even been claimed that he sometimes remains at his desk late into the night, despite the demands this can place on his family.

Yet, amid the increased responsibilities that came with becoming King, Charles has apparently continued to make time for something he has long cared about: his private home at Highgrove and the people who work there.

Charles remained hands-on at Highgrove

Jack Stooks, a former head gardener at Highgrove, recalled expecting the King’s lifestyle at the estate to change once Charles ascended the throne.

Speaking to CasinoHawks, Jack said he had assumed they would see Charles less often and that his relaxed approach to life at home might disappear after he became King.

Instead, very little changed.

Jack recalled: “I remember thinking that when Charles became King we wouldn’t see him as much.

“I thought his relaxed approach to life at home would change, but it didn’t.

“He still spent a lot of time with the gardeners and was very hands on. That didn’t change even when he took the crown.”

For Jack, Charles’ continued involvement with the gardens reflected how much the King has always valued Highgrove.

The gardener who accidentally swore in front of the King

Jack also described an encounter that gave him another impression of Charles — as an understanding and approachable employer.

The incident happened when the gardeners were called to deal with a leak in the estate’s irrigation system. Charles strongly dislikes waste, and losing water through a leak was considered a serious problem, prompting the gardening team to act quickly.

Jack was working among the bushes, bent down while trying to repair a damaged pipe, when he heard someone approaching through a tunnel.

He stood up expecting someone to speak to him, only to find himself face-to-face with the King.

Caught off guard, Jack greeted him by saying, “Good evening Your Highness”.

There was just one problem: Charles had already become King, making the form of address incorrect.

Jack immediately realised his mistake and became so flustered that he accidentally swore. He quickly apologised and corrected himself, addressing Charles as “Your Majesty”.

Rather than taking offence, the King reassured him.

“He was completely fine about it. He just told me it was okay and not to worry,” Jack recalled.

Charles also told him that he was still adjusting to the change in title himself.

For Jack, the encounter was another indication of the King’s considerate nature.

“He’s a very kind man, and this is just one example of how understanding he is,” he said.