King Charles III Leaning on Prince William, Wife Camilla

Leaning on his household. King Charles III is relying on son Prince William and spouse Camilla after inheriting the throne from his late mom Queen Elizabeth II, a supply solely tells Us Weekly.

“King Charles calls Camilla his ‘tower of strength,’” the insider reveals. “[He] says she makes him a better man. This is obviously a challenging time for him as he transitions into a new era without his beloved mother and he’s incredibly emotional.”

Charles stepped into the position of king following Elizabeth’s passing on Thursday, September 8. The late sovereign, who was the longest-running monarch in British historical past, “died peacefully” in her sleep at age 96 whereas at her Balmoral property in Scotland, Buckingham Palace introduced on the time.

On Friday, Camilla, 75, stepped out with Charles on her first day as queen consort to greet well-wishers exterior of Buckingham Palace. While a tragic day for the couple, who wed in 2005, it was additionally a monumental one as they assumed their new titles.

“[Charles] knows he’ll never outshine the queen and doesn’t expect to, but he does plan to make a difference in his own, unique way,” the insider explains to Us, including that he has been “working closely with Prince William in a slimmed-down monarchy.”

Later on Friday, the king made his first speech as the brand new royal patriarch of the U.Okay. In his remarks, Charles formally introduced Camilla’s new title and declared William and Kate, each 40, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, respectively. The Cambridges’ have additionally inherited the respective titles of Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales, which previously belonged to William’s father and late mom, Princess Diana.

During his tackle, the king additionally expressed “love” for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they “continue to build their lives overseas” in California — a second royal skilled Gareth Russell solely advised Us was an “olive branch” to the Sussexes amid royal tensions.

As one other one in every of his first proclamations as king, His Majesty prolonged the nation’s mourning interval for Elizabeth.

“Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral,” a Friday assertion learn, noting {that a} date for Elizabeth’s funeral has but to be introduced. “Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.”

Traditionally after a monarch’s dying, the nation enters a 12-day bereavement interval whereas employees uniforms change, TV comedy packages are paused and flags are flown at half-mast.

According to a second insider, whereas the “royals knew that Elizabeth’s end was near,” the household is “struggling to come to terms” with the truth of her dying.

While the king and Duke of Cornwall are balancing their new duties with their grief, the Duke of Sussex, 37, is particularly upset about his grandmother’s dying after he did not arrive in Scotland in time to say his final goodbyes.

“Harry is guilt-stricken — full of sorrow and regret about not saying goodbye to the queen,” the supply tells Us. “They met up a couple of times during the Platinum Jubilee, but he by no means expected it to be the last time he saw her.”

The Invictus Games founder formally stepped down from his royal duties in January 2020 to maneuver to the United States along with his spouse Meghan Markle, however he managed to keep up a detailed relationship with the late royal matriarch.

“He loved his grandmother with all his heart and is going through a terrible time right now,” the supply provides. “The news hasn’t fully sunk in.”