First anniversary ‘might be harder’ for Charles than Queen’s death at the time as ‘the job of becoming king took over’ but now he has time to reflect, expert tells PALACE CONFIDENTIAL
The first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death could be “more difficult in some ways” for King Charles than when she passed away, a royal expert claims.
Her Majesty died on 8 September last year at Balmoral Castle, with her two eldest children at her bedside.
In his speech at Palace Confidential this week, Daily Mail diary editor Richard Eden discussed how the monarch was extremely busy with the task of becoming king when his mother died.
But now, a year later, he says His Majesty may have more time to reflect on his mother’s passing.
Speaking to presenter Jo Elvin, Richard said: ‘I suspect this anniversary will be harder for him in some ways than it was a year ago.
“Because at that point (for us) the instinct (as journalists) to grab the newspaper got the better of us.
“For him… it was the task of becoming king that got the better of me, so now I suspect he has time to think, and it will probably be a sadder moment.”
During the episode, the royal experts also discussed the Queen’s death, and how the timing had been unexpected.
According to the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor, Rebecca English revealed that she spoke to a well-placed source about what it was like to be in Balmoral at the time of the Queen’s death.
She said: ‘They told me that although there was a lot of talk about the Queen’s death, her demise was really very quick, and it was really on their heels – no one expected it to happen that day.
“I think they thought it would happen in six months, but not then.
“And while we can prepare a lot for this, obviously the various surgeries have been in the planning for years, but there’s only a limited amount you can do.
And they described it as kind of like learning to fly as you do it because there was a lot of stuff to throw out and a lot of new stuff to bring in.
Daily Mail diary editor Richard Eden (pictured) discussed on the program whether it might be a more difficult time for the King than the time of the Queen’s death, as he now has more time to think.
King Charles (pictured addressing the nation after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II) had to get involved in the all-consuming business of becoming monarch at the time of his mother’s death
“So they said it was a real adrenaline rush for them at the time, too.”
Rebecca also described the moment when Charles and Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, and the reception they received.
She revealed it had been very busy and loud, adding, “Then suddenly it was kind of quiet and you could hear this sort of echo of ‘God save the King’ getting closer and closer.
“It still sends shivers down my spine thinking about it now, it was a very moving historic moment.
“They got out of the car and weren’t sure what the crowd’s reaction would be… and you almost see the King himself hardening, like, ‘Okay, I’m going to get into work mode,’ but… with Queen Camilla she had tears in her eyes. She could barely keep it together. She was so moved by what she saw.’