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King Charles demonstrated his grandparenting expertise during a heartfelt exchange with television presenter Declan Donnelly at Buckingham Palace.
The conversation occurred on the eve of the King’s Trust awards ceremony, which Ant and Dec hosted in their roles as goodwill ambassadors for the charity.
Dec shared details of their interaction, highlighting how the King’s specific enquiries showed genuine interest and understanding of the challenges of parenting toddlers.
During their conversation, the King asked specifically about Dec’s son, who is approaching his third birthday.
King Charles appears to reveal chaos caused by his grandchildren when they go swimming.
Getty
“My son is coming up to three; he’s a crazy one,” Dec recalled telling the monarch.
The TV presenter continued to tell Hello!: “The King said, ‘Is he one of these who jumps and dives bombs in the pool and sinks at the bottom?’ Yeah, that’s him.”
Dec recognised the King’s insight came from personal experience: “He’s obviously got experience with that with some of the grandkids, I would have thought.”
The exchange showcased Charles’s ability to connect through shared experiences of managing energetic young children.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are Kate and William’s three children.
Getty
The King’s grandparenting experience extends to five grandchildren: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
His close relationship with Prince William’s youngest child, Louis, was evident during this year’s Trooping the Colour.
However, Charles has had limited opportunities to spend time with Prince Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet, since their parents relocated to the United States.
The geographical distance has meant the monarch has rarely seen his youngest grandchildren.
King Charles with Declan Donnelly at Buckingham Palace.
PA
Dec spoke warmly about the monarch’s character following their encounter: “He’s great. He’s got a twinkle in his eye, he’s got a fantastic sense of humour and he’s genuinely interested in people.”
The television personality also praised Charles’s long-standing commitment to the King’s Trust, which the monarch established in 1976.
“He started the trust in 1976, so to see the fruits of that, almost 50 years on, must be incredibly rewarding for him,” Dec observed.
He added: “And it’s done what he set out to do all those years ago.”