To be sad at how Charles The King looks compared to how Charles the Prince looked?

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Before anyone feels the need to point it out, yes I know he has just lost his parents in quick succession and got dropped into a role of high stress and responsibility. I get that it will affect him.

But I saddens me so much that he looks so much more careworn in such a small space of time. It struck me today when I saw the photos of him, he seems so much more stern, almost angry. I cant really describe it but in years past there was a kindness or empathy or something in his face at such events and that seems to have gone. He looks so so much older than he did just 6 months ago. I feel for him and his family and I say this as a republican, but also as a human being.

I feel for him too. He looks so sad. He is human like everyone else and dealing with grief.

^ this!

I lost both of mine in 5 months @Blossomtoes, and they were considerably younger than the Queen and Prince Philip were. It hurts no matter what ages they were! Charles acknowledged his mother's long life. I feel sorry for the RF too in their losses, just like I would anyone. Seems to me bitter and nasty to begrudge someone having their parents into old age.

Mind you there are plenty of bitter and nasty people posting here! I wouldn't be in the King's shoes for anything.

He had both parents alive well in his seventies. They both lived until their nineties in what looked like pretty good health considering their age. He is incredibly lucky. His boys went through losing their mum when they were children so I can't feel overly sympathetic towards Charles.

I wouldn't be in the King's shoes for anything

Like I said, a marketing triumph. We actually feel sorry for them and convince ourselves that lives must be awful and we would hate to be in that position. Utterly hilarious

He looks as happy as Larry in the photo of him as a park ranger. He'll be just fine.

I honestly haven’t noticed. He looks exactly the same to me!

I lost a parent much younger than Charles but I still feel for him.

So odd how people are trying to police where you spare your sympathies OP. Obviously you aren’t allowed to have any sympathy for this person for that strange variety of reasons that have been posted here.

People really are very odd.

Firstly, how do you know what she as like as a mother? Was she also your mother? Secondly IF she didn’t behave as maternally as your mother, does that mean he wasn’t allowed to love her? To respect her? And therefore desperately mourn her?

You don’t get to decide his feelings based on your perception of her parenting which you have zero knowledge about.

yep

None can tell, other than from the photographic evidence of bloated facial features and an excessively ruddy complexion. For sure he might not be a lush: who knows? But he certainly doesn't - hasn't for some time - looked like a man in the pink of health.

The thread merely asked if he's looked worse over the past three months. I don't think he has. He's not looked well for ages.

As I stated, I hope he lasts. He's not likely to do much for the Windsors' popularity.

There have been stories in the press for years that Charles likes a drink. The Queen Mother did as well.
That does not mean he is an alcoholic though.

I hope he lasts. But not re popularity, he’ll likely be fine, more the cost of the mourning period. We need a break before that

"A marketing triumph"! - please don't insult my intelligence!!

Yes, they have an extremely privileged lifestyle, but for that they trade their freedom. You might enjoy it but the thought of meeting people every day talking to you about things that bore you half to death, while having to have prepared in advance so you can discuss their interests knowledgeably, and making them feel warm and wanted is not something that appeals to me.

Plus their every move is scrutinised, criticised and dissected. They pretty much live in a goldfish bowl. To have to work literally until you die, does not appeal to me that much either. The poor Queen didn't even get to retire! And reading all the boring govt papers every day, plus having to be careful at all times what you say, lest it causes controversy, etc etc etc. To be an apprentice for 73 years before you take up the 'main job' at an age when most people have retired, and know that you will die in service....

Not for me, thanks.

I had read the late Queen drank 40+ units a week until her doctors told her to cut down in her 90s. A fact I have used to justify my own similar drinking habits !

www.her.ie/food/much-91-year-old-queen-elizabeth-drinks-every-day-357900

This is a scurrilous website ...

www.ibtimes.co.uk/king-charles-iii-forced-camilla-rehab-sober-ahead-coronation-report-1708477

Most retired people have to cook, clean, garden etc whereas he gets all that done for him.

This.

Plus their every move is scrutinised, criticised and dissected. They pretty much live in a goldfish bowl. To have to work literally until you die, does not appeal to me that much either. The poor Queen didn't even get to retire! And reading all the boring govt papers every day, plus having to be careful at all times what you say, lest it causes controversy, etc etc etc. To be an apprentice for 73 years before you take up the 'main job' at an age when most people have retired, and know that you will die in service....

I don’t think they’re that tied up on avoiding controversy. Members of the royal family have been shown to be racist, out of touch, and in one case a pervert who parties with trafficked teens.

And I think ‘they have to read boring papers’ is about the most laughable thing I’ve ever heard. They didn’t get to retire… retire from what for Christ’s sake? Dressing like something from Downton Abbey and making appearances at unimportant events to say prewritten things that don’t actually matter or help anyone or anything?

And as for working till we die - that’s just life for most of us nowadays. Or until you actually physically can’t anymore. And we’ll do it in much less comfort and security.

😂I just read that with my idea/impression of a Scottish accent. 😂😂😂

Yeah I'm no royalist but I sure as hell would look miserable if I'd taken on that role at 73 or whatever age he is. Privilege or no privilege.

So what?! Parts of their role are dull...well, there's hoards of ordinary people spending all day every day doing boring work without all the benefits the royals get. As for not retiring, well no, but the queen spent long summers in Balmoral having an absolutely glorious time I imagine and whilst there may be a loss of freedom to some extent, their privilege actually gives them more freedom imo. Freedom to pursue certain hobbies. Phillip loved carriage riding didn't he? Charles loves nature. Thanks to their wealth, they can embrace these interests. They also don't have to perform all the mundane tasks the rest of us do... booking the car in for an MOT, setting up a direct debit for the council tax, laundry, food shopping, cleaning, phoning a plumber to fix the leaky tap. They have amazing lives. Don't feel sorry for them.

@Comedycook

Well said. Without lifes admin, it would all be pretty easy

Just enjoying the 20% of easy stuff and all the cares, grind, tribulations and plain old everyday chores taken away from you

She was still his mother. I grieved my mother despite not having had the easiest of relationships with her.

I agree with you, @PyongyangKipperbang .
Maybe you're an empath. We can pick a lot up from photos. Or maybe you just CARE about people, which is to be admired, not mocked, for.