He has never had a strong desire to live in Windsor Castle, largely due to the noise of the planes flying over Heathrow.
But the king seems to have changed his mind in recent months and is busy putting his unique stamp on the late queen’s Berkshire estate.
Workers have been seen fixing up Queen Elizabeth’s private apartments, while staff have been storing some of her belongings and bringing in many of the new monarch’s favorite artworks and antiques.
On the grounds, 74-year-old Charles has also been expanding his green credentials.
New electric car charging points are being installed at various locations on the Windsor property and thousands of new trees are being planted.
King Charles (pictured) has never had a strong desire to live in Windsor Castle, largely due to the noise from the planes flying over Heathrow.
Work has started on a new drinking fountain outside Windsor Castle
A flight from Heathrow Airport passing over the Round Tower of Windsor Castle as it climbs after take off
Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and has been home to English kings and queens for nearly 1,000 years.
It is an official royal residence and home to around 150 people, hosting ceremonial and state occasions.
Queen Elizabeth loved it so much that she spent most weekends there in her Upper Ward apartments, overlooking the Quadrangle to the front and the Rose Garden, designed by Prince Philip, to the rear.
The apartments are private and rarely seen by the public, though they became more familiar as the late sovereign spent more time in Windsor, sometimes four nights a week, as she aged.
She and her late husband moved in full-time during the Covid pandemic, when the Queen embraced the culture of video calls from her personal suite, giving royal watchers a glimpse into a hitherto unexplored part of her life.
While the entire royal family loves Windsor, King Charles has always preferred the tranquility of Highgrove, the Gloucestershire house and estate he bought in 1980.
He has thrown his heart and soul into his gardens and estate, which are now a visitor attraction in their own right and have raised over £7m for charity to date.
However, various sources said that the King has now started spending an increasing amount of time in Windsor.
Some of the thousands of new trees being planted in Windsor Greater Park
An old building makes way for a new one on the Windsor estate
This started before his mother died, when he began staying the night before an endowment to spend quality time with her.
Since last September his visits have increased in frequency and duration, with the King now staying two or three nights a week and conducting an increasing amount of official business from the castle, as Buckingham Palace is still in the process of renovation.
Although his staff have largely relocated to the monarch’s official residence, he and the Queen Consort still live across The Mall at Clarence House.
King Charles is still using his existing suite of rooms at Windsor Castle, but workmen have been seen in the late queen’s apartments, suggesting he may plan to take them over sooner rather than later.
And the sad business of removing the late Queen’s belongings, storing some and cataloging others for posterity, has begun.
“The king is making the castle more to his liking, as expected, and is bringing some of his favorite art and possessions to make it feel more homey,” a source said.
Now that the Prince and Princess of Wales have moved to Windsor, where they have taken over Adelaide Cottage for the term, Charles will be able to see more of his grandchildren.
While well-placed sources say the long-term plan had always been for the Prince and Princess of Wales to move into the castle as soon as possible, the couple and their young family seem very happy where they are.
And there’s always the possibility of moving into the Royal Lodge if Prince Andrew lets him off the hook, as is the King’s plan.
The King is introducing green changes to Windsor, including electric car charging points.
The inner courtyard of Windsor Castle while a plane flies over it
However, she resists the suggestion that she move into Frogmore Cottage when Harry and Meghan are evicted in early summer. Although it has five bedrooms, it is much smaller and “little” than his current house.
The King was appointed Park Ranger of Windsor Greater Park last November, inheriting the title from his late father who held it for 70 years.
Since then, he’s been exceptionally hands-on, sources say, meeting with staff, residents and visitors, promoting environmental best practices wherever possible and assisting the Crown Estate in its goal of making Windsor net zero by 2030.
Windsor farm has gone organic, encouraged by the King, and has implemented a massive tree and hedge planting program.
The estate already has renewable energy in the form of biomass heating using wood chips from the estate and the king is looking for ways to expand this.