The 40-year-old royal became
first in line to the throne the moment his grandmother passed away on September
8 at the age of 96 following a record-breaking 70-year reign and his father
King Charles became the new monarch but explained in his first public
engagement since the funeral of Her Late Majesty that it is
“comforting” that so many people care.
He said: “If you flip it
on its head, it is always very comforting that so many people care. It makes it
a lot better.
There are certain moments that
catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments to catch you
out.”
The Prince of Wales – who has
been married to Catherine, Princess of Wales since 2011 and has Prince George,
nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis with her –
added that it is the things that he “doesn’t expect” that get to him
the most, including tributes to his late grandmother based on Paddington Bear
after the late monarch appeared in a sketch with the children’s literary
character for her Platinum Jubilee back in June as well as her beloved Corgis.
He said: “It is the
things you don’t expect that get to you. Paddington is a a new addition but the
corgis have been there for longer.”
He added: “It’s been a
busy few days but you guys have been doing long hours as well, so thank you so
much.”
