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Since the moment he entered this world in 1948, King Charles III has been on a royal path, practically groomed for the throne like a prized show pony. And that long-awaited moment finally arrived on September 8, 2022, when he took over the crown after his mom, Queen Elizabeth II, left the building. Now, at the ripe age of 75, he’s gearing up for a big Commonwealth tour, and guess what? His goddaughter, India Hicks, has some sage advice for him as he prepares to hit the road.
In a recent episode of The Royal Record podcast, Hicks—who’s got royal connections tighter than a corgi in a sweater, thanks to her ties to Lord Louis Mountbatten and Queen Elizabeth—dished out some wisdom about what it’s really like to be a royal on tour. Drawing from her mother’s days as a lady-in-waiting, Hicks made it clear that Charles isn’t exactly a newbie at this royal gig. He’s been training for this moment for so long he could practically teach a class on it.
But even with all that experience under his belt, Hicks didn’t sugarcoat it. She reminded the King that these royal tours can be tougher than a two-dollar steak, both emotionally and physically. “You’re on show all the time,” she said, pointing out that every little action and eyebrow raise is under a microscope. Talk about pressure! She urged him to stay sharp and ready for the exhausting nature of these royal engagements—especially since this will be his first big outing since officially becoming king and revealing his cancer diagnosis back in February.
Hicks highlighted how the constant public scrutiny can really wear you down, particularly for someone like Charles, who’s spent his whole life serving the public. And let’s be real, he’s dealt with his fair share of drama, from the whirlwind of his marriage to Princess Diana to the less-than-smooth controversies involving Camilla.
Mark your calendars, folks! The King’s “Autumn Tour” kicks off from October 18 to 26 and will take him to the sunny shores of Australia and the beautiful landscapes of Samoa. With a lifetime of experience and a few lessons tucked under his crown, King Charles is ready to face whatever this royal road trip throws his way.