King Charles opens up about parenting regrets in tearful plea to Prince William
King Charles advised his eldest son William to prioritise family over royal obligation
In a rare moment, King Charles reportedly made a heartbreaking plea to Prince William, urging him not to repeat the same mistakes he made while balancing royal duty and family life.
As revealed in a new Channel 5 documentary, William and Catherine: Putting Family First, royal experts say the King advised his eldest son to prioritise family over royal obligations.
“In a deeply personal conversation, Charles said to William, ‘Please don’t make the mistake that I made. I want you to enjoy your family life,’” shared Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine.
“He was insistent, saying he had been so devoted to duty that he couldn’t make space for his family the way he wished he had.”
Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked closely with King Charles from 2004 to 2011, described the moment as a "royal first."
“For the first time ever, you’ve got a king who, if his boys needed him, would probably put them before the crown,” Harrold revealed.
“That has never happened in the monarchy’s history.”
The documentary also reflects on how Charles, like his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, was raised by nannies while Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip fulfilled their royal duties.
Prince Harry echoed similar sentiments in his memoir Spare, describing Charles as distant and worn down by duty.
“He wasn’t the kind of father who played tag or tossed a ball after dark,” Harry wrote. “He just didn’t have the enthusiasm... But I would, I always promised myself. I would.”
