“The Whole Country Is Jealous of Charlotte”: King Charles’s Touching Gesture for Princess Charlotte on Her 10th Birthday Hints at Their Special Bond
In a rare and touching display of affection, King Charles III has melted hearts across the United Kingdom — and beyond — with a deeply personal gesture for his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, on her 10th birthday. The sweet moment, shared in private but quickly picked up by royal insiders, has many calling it the clearest sign yet of the incredibly close bond between the monarch and the young princess.
Princess Charlotte, the only daughter of Prince William and Princess Kate, celebrated her 10th birthday on May 2nd. While the family released a charming new portrait of Charlotte — smiling brightly with a striking resemblance to her late grandmother, Princess Diana — it was King Charles’s gesture behind the scenes that had royal watchers buzzing.
According to palace sources, the King commissioned a handwritten letter and a specially crafted music box for Charlotte, inspired by a lullaby he used to hum to Prince William as a baby. The box, made by royal artisans in Cornwall, plays a gentle melody and features a hidden compartment containing a locket with a miniature photo of Charles and Charlotte during a garden walk at Balmoral.
“It was something deeply personal,” said one insider. “He wanted her to have something she could keep forever — not just as a royal, but as his granddaughter. It’s very rare for him to commission something so specific and symbolic.”
But that wasn’t all. In a quiet moment during the birthday celebrations held at Windsor, King Charles surprised Charlotte with a video message recorded in the gardens of Highgrove, where he fondly recalled moments they’ve spent gardening and painting together — one of their shared hobbies. “My darling Lottie,” he said in the clip, “I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming. You bring so much light and laughter to our family. Happy Birthday, my sweet girl.”
The video, which reportedly moved Kate to tears, was not released to the public — but sources say Charlotte asked to watch it twice that evening.
Social media has lit up with admiration for the gesture, with royal fans commenting, “The whole country is jealous of Charlotte right now,” and “What a beautiful, grandfatherly thing to do — King Charles has such a soft spot for her.”
The close relationship between Charles and Charlotte has been noted over the years. While Charles is often seen as a more formal and reserved royal, those close to him say his demeanor melts around his grandchildren — especially Charlotte, who shares his love for nature, art, and gentle wit.
Royal historian Emily Nash commented, “It’s clear King Charles sees a spark in Charlotte — not only as a future working royal but as a kindred spirit. He’s taken a very active role in her life, and this birthday gift is just a small window into how much she means to him.”
As Princess Charlotte enters her second decade, the touching birthday moment has reminded the world that beyond the protocol and pageantry, the royal family is still — at its heart — a family full of love, legacy, and connection.