The important role the Queen Mother played in Prince Charles’ life
Prince Charles revealed the close bond he shared with his grandmother, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 2002 during an emotional eulogy.
“She was, quite simply, the most magical grandmother you could possibly have,” he said at the time.
The message was televised throughout the UK, and showed a teary Charles grieving the loss of his beloved “Granny”.
“For me, she meant everything, and I had dreaded this moment. Somehow, I never thought it would come. She seemed gloriously unstoppable.”
9Honey’s The Windsors podcast delves deep into Charles’ relationship with his grandmother, which began early on in his life.
Their bond grew stronger after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended the throne.
“[The Queen Mother] was more of a mother to him whilst his mother was obviously busy with the duties of being a Queen,” says Juliet Rieden, author of The Royals in Australia.
“I think she was a touchstone to him.”
Elizabeth was seen offering words of encouragement to her grandson, who would one day take his mother’s place on the throne.
“My darling Charles … Everyone loves you and is proud of you and I absolutely know you will be able to do wonderful things for this country,” she wrote at the time, when Prince Charles was 20 years old.
“Not only leadership but by being your own kind-hearted, loving and intelligent and funny self.”
She would consistently write the Prince letters during his time in Australia, where he attended school for two terms.