A Rare Look Inside King Charles’ Home Had Viewers Confused
Although it's common to see photographs of the British royal family making official appearances around the world, it's rare that the public gets a chance to see inside of their homes. In 2020, King Charles sat at his desk at his holiday home in Birkhall for a video broadcast. Viewers paid close attention as they were given a unique glimpse into Charles' home life. Afterward, conversation stirred about what was displayed in the background on the Prince's piano.
King Charles Announced The Opening Of A New Hospital
Workplaces, schools, and news stations have made major adjustments in 2020 that often include communicating by video, from home. The British royal family is no different.
King Charles became the first royal family member to announce the opening of a new hospital via video broadcast. Charles set-up the call from his desk at his Birkhall residence on the Balmoral estate. The King and his wife Camilla typically use the residence as their summer vacation home and viewers were thrilled to catch a glimpse inside.
The King Graciously Thanked Everyone Involved
King Charles gave a passionate address to the workers who helped open the latest Nightingale hospital in London. Broadcasting on the British royal family's YouTube channel, the King said, "It is without a doubt a spectacular and almost unbelievable feat of work in every sense."
He continued speaking of Nightingale, "From its speed and construction in just nine days, as we've heard, to its size and the skills of those who have created it."
He Sounded Like A True King
While Queen Elizabeth II was still alive, it didn't look as though she was in any rush to step down. Now in his early 70s and having waited for all of his life to take the throne, King Charles probably though his time may never come, as it could instead go to his son Prince William.
However, in 2022, Charles finally took the title of King.
The Twittersphere Paid Attention To The Background
There was plenty of conversation on Twitter following King Charles' address. Some commented on the hospital opening, while others questioned the late Queen's whereabouts. And then, the commentary turned to what was in the background-- the photographs displayed on the piano behind Charles' desk.
The King had to have known that the photographs would be visible. But still, he isn't used to addressing the British people from inside his vacation home. It wouldn't be all that surprising if a mistake was made.
Birkhall Is One Of The Most Private Properties Of The Royal Family
The summer home in Birkhall was built back in the 1700s and sits on an expansive 53,000 acres in Scotland. Charles inherited the Birkhall grounds from the Queen Mother, his grandmother, in 2002. For Charles, the home is filled with childhood memories of holidays spent with family on the open land.
It's also where the King and Queen Consort spent their honeymoon, in 2005.
Birkhall Holds Special Meaning For Charles and Camilla
Birkhall is a very special place for King Charles and Camilla as a couple. Here they're pictured at the estate in Scotland, dressed in matching coats. The royal couple used this image to announce their engagement on February 10, 2005.
They posed on the same porch with their dogs in 2020 to commemorate their 15th wedding anniversary, still looking happy as ever. Originally having met in 1970 at a polo match, the couple didn't marry until 35 years later.
A Photo Of The King And His Sister Princess Anne
One of the images displayed on the piano behind King Charles is a framed photograph of young Charles and his younger sister Princess Anne.
This photo was taken when the two siblings were brought to Malta to meet their parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip after they completed their royal tour. The year is estimated to be 1954, with King Charles around six-years-old at the time and Princess Anne being just four-years-old.
A Photo Of Charles and Camilla After Their Wedding Ceremony
Another significant photo displayed behind King Charles during his address was a picture taken of Charles and Camilla leaving Windsor Guildhall after their civil marriage ceremony in 2005. Since both Charles and Camilla had previously been married, the ceremony couldn't take place in a church, following the British royal family's tradition.
Neither of King Charles' parents was in attendance, which of course, included the late Queen herself. While the ceremony didn't get far as much attention as Charles' wedding to Princess Diana, this day clearly holds a very special place in his heart.
A Photo Of Prince Harry And His Family
Charles' son Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are arguably were the two most controversial members of the royal family in 2020 as the couple has shaken up the tradition and decided to step down as senior members of the royal family.
Some viewers expressed their relief to see a photograph of the couple with their son Archie at his christening just days after he was born. King Charles attended the christening, but the late Queen did not.
Reportedly, King Charles Wasn't Initially Happy With Harry's Decision
Seeing a photograph of Prince Harry, Meghan, and Archie was in fact, a noteworthy observation. Prince Harry wasn't expected to ever take the throne; his brother Prince William and his children are ahead of Harry, the second-born.
Yet King Charles expected Harry to live a life of service to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Harry and Meghan kept their conversations about their exit entirely private from the palace. When they abruptly announced that they were stepping down within a year of Archie's birth, Charles was reportedly taken by surprise.
King Charles Adores Baby Archie
Watching King Charles' address, viewers commented on how sweet it was to see the photo of baby Archie. Charles met Archie when he was ten days old. Camilla says Charles adores being a grandfather.
She told Hello Magazine, "He will get down on his knees and crawl about with them for hours, you know making funny noises and laughing." Charles has said, "It's a different part of your life. The great thing is to encourage them. Show them things to take their interest. My grandmother did that, she was wonderful."
The Late Queen Made An Official Statement, Wishing Them Well
After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention of stepping down, the late Queen released an official statement. She included, "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family."
She couldn't entirely hide her disappointment, however. The statement continued, "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family."
Charles Wished The Timing Had Been Better
King Charles and his staff were reportedly blindsided by Prince Harry and Meghan's announcement. Like the late Queen and the rest of the royal family, Charles was left in the dark ahead of their official statement. He was on a book tour in the Middle East when the couple made their announcement and was one of the last to know.
Their decision also meant Prince Harry would leave the UK, at least part-time. Charles could also be disappointed to be away from his newest grandson Archie, as Harry and Meghan announced they'd be splitting time between North American and the UK.
Prince Harry Welcomes His Father's Advice
After the initial shock wore off and King Charles returned from his book tour, the father and son were able to talk about the departure in person. A source close to the royal family told The Sun, "They have a very strong and close father-and-son relationship."
And although Harry isn't always in the UK, the distance hasn't driven a wedge in their relationship. "Since his move to Los Angeles, they have been in regular contact. Charles is not an avid user of text but there are videos and phone calls."
A Photo Of His Niece Zara Riding Her Horse
Viewers spotted many royal family members in King Charles' photos. Another was of his niece, Zara Tindall. The daughter of Princess Anne, Zara is an Olympic athlete competing in equestrian.
When she was born, Zara was sixth in the line of succession to the British throne. However, today, she's 18th. King Charles has always loved horses as well, competing in polo from the time he was a young boy until 1992, when he retired from competition.
A Mysterious Silhouette
Viewers were able to identify the people and the setting of many of the photos displayed on King Charles' piano, but there was one that kept the conversation going on Twitter.
There was a black and white framed image over Charles' shoulder that wasn't easily identifiable. While the King gave his address, a Twitter user named Richard Littler zoomed in on the photo and shared it for a closer look. Was it even a photo?
A Pencil Sketch
After taking a closer look, viewers watching Charles' address began speculating what the image could be. One user replied, "If you look closely, there seems to be a faint pencil drawing in the frame."
Charles did have plenty of his grandchildren's artwork on display around his study. Perhaps it was a sketch done by a family member, or a family heirloom from the Queen Mother, with who Charles had a close bond.
The Significance Of Family Photographs
The conversation continued as no one could figure it out. "Did Charles forget to put a picture in the frame?" asked one Twitter user. That, however, seemed highly unlikely in a royal family estate.
This isn't the first time that a display of photos has caused a conversation. Each photo pictured on the late Queen Elizabeth's desk for one of her Christmas photos was noted. A photo of Prince Harry and Meghan was noticeably missing. Prince William and Kate didn't appear either, but their children, George and Charlotte, had their portraits displayed.
It Appears To Be A Photo Of Camilla
However, in late May 2020, King Charles gave Classic FM presenter Alan Titchmarsh a tour of his home at the Clarence House. The radio DJ was surprised at the sight of Charles' untidy desk, covered in papers and surrounded by various photos.
One of the photos in clear view is the framed black-and-white silhouette photo that later appears on Charles' piano. But in this image, you can see that the image is of his wife, Camilla, wearing a white sash draped over the top of her head while on tour in Egypt, 2006.
The Royal Family Is Just Like Us
As viewers got to see a rare look at King Charles' desk, many couldn't help but theorize deeper meanings into the items they saw. Like any other proud grandpa, King Charles has photos of his family and his grandchildren's artwork around his home.
Having been isolated from other family members since March 2020, Charles commented in June 2020 that he was "terribly sad" being away from his grandchildren. He told Sky News, "But fortunately at least you can speak to them on telephones and occasionally do this sort of thing. But it isn't the same, is it? You really want to give people a hug."
