King Charles has held many roles throughout his life, but “the world’s coolest grandpa” may not be the first title that comes to mind. However, he is making a sincere effort to be present in the lives of all five of his grandchildren: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet. Balancing the demands of royal duties alongside family responsibilities is no easy task, and like any grandfather, keeping up with an energetic group of children can be challenging. Despite these obstacles, Charles appears committed to fostering his relationships with them. That said, his connection with Archie and Lilibet seems to be the most distant, likely influenced by the ongoing tensions between Prince Harry and the royal family.
Charles takes being a grandparent seriously, a trait he probably picked up from his own meemaw. When Prince George was born, the King couldn’t stop talking about how important it is to bond with grandkids while they’re young and impressionable. He claimed that encouraging and praising them would eventually pave the way to their personal interests because that’s what his grandmother did for him. And it seems he’s really tried to live by that advice. According to the Daily Mail, Charles goes out of his way to connect with his grandkids and wants to spend more time with them. Now that George, Charlotte, and Louis live closer, he gets to see them more often, and he’s apparently thrilled about it.
While the Wales children have the opportunity to spend more time with their royal grandfather, Archie and Lilibet are growing up in California, far from the rest of the royal family. Given the physical distance and the ongoing tensions between Prince Harry and the family, it has been challenging for King Charles to develop a close bond with his youngest grandchildren. Understandably, this is something he finds disappointing, as any grandparent would.
While King Charles can easily visit Prince William and Princess Kate’s children, his relationship with Archie and Lilibet is more of a long-distance connection rather than frequent in-person visits. In fact, he has only had the opportunity to meet them a few times. According to royal expert Jennie Bond, this physical and emotional distance is something Charles finds deeply disappointing. Understandably, he wishes he could spend more time with his youngest grandchildren and be a more present figure in their lives.
What makes the situation even more difficult is that these precious early childhood years pass quickly, and once they’re gone, they can’t be relived. However, despite the challenges, one can hope that King Charles focuses on the meaningful relationships he does have while remaining open to strengthening his bond with Archie and Lilibet in the future. Perhaps Harry and Meghan share updates and photos with him, which would at least provide a small way to stay connected.
King Charles isn’t one to simply sit back and dwell on what he can’t change. According to his former butler, he’s making a heartfelt effort to bridge the gap with Archie and Lilibet using the tools of the modern world. Whether it’s Zoom calls on special occasions, exchanging cherished photos, or FaceTiming across the Atlantic, he’s determined to stay present in their lives—even from miles away. While it may not replace the warmth of in-person visits, it’s clear that the King is doing everything he can to nurture a connection with his youngest grandchildren, despite the challenges.
