King Charles surprised one of his longtime staff members by staying true to himself after becoming monarch. According to the former head gardener at Highgrove House, the King’s daily approach barely changed despite taking on one of the biggest roles in the world.
King Charles’ former gardener explains one thing King Charles didn’t change after he took the throne
As reported by Marie Claire, in an interview with CasinoHawks, former Highgrove head gardener Jack Stooks recalled an awkward but memorable moment shortly after Charles became king following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022. Stooks said the gardeners were rushing to fix an irrigation leak because the monarch dislikes wasting water. While working inside a bush, he suddenly realized King Charles was standing nearby.
Caught off guard, Stooks greeted him by saying, “Good evening, Your Highness.” However, Charles had already become king, making the greeting incorrect. The former gardener admitted he immediately realized the mistake. He panicked, apologized, and corrected himself by addressing the monarch as “Your Majesty.”
Fortunately, the moment ended on a lighthearted note. “He was completely fine about it,” Stooks said. The monarch assured him everything was okay and told him not to worry. He added, “He said he was still getting used to the change in title as well.” Stooks added that the King’s calm reaction reflected his kind personality and made the embarrassing situation much easier.
The former royal staffer also revealed he expected King Charles’ reign to bring major changes to life at Highgrove House. Instead, he found that the monarch remained just as involved with the estate as before. “I remember thinking that when Charles became King we wouldn’t see him as much,” Stooks explained. “I thought his relaxed approach to life at home would change, but it didn’t.”
According to Stooks, the King continued spending time with the gardening team and stayed actively involved in the grounds. That hands-on approach remained unchanged even after he took the throne. King Charles’s former gardener expressed pleasant surprise at the monarch’s steady behavior.
The King did not let his new responsibilities create distance between himself and the estate staff. Charles has long been known for his passion for gardening and environmental conservation. Stooks’ recollection suggests those personal interests continued to shape his routine even after becoming Britain’s monarch.
The story offers a rare glimpse into how King Charles adjusted to royal life after his accession. It shows that some habits remained exactly the same despite his historic new role.
