Former Royal Insider Spills the Truth About King Charles And What He Was Really Like Behind Palace Walls
In a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into royal life, King Charles has just received high praise—not from a palace official or royal expert—but from a man who worked side by side with him in the soil and sun. Jack Stooks, the King’s former gardener of 20 years, has pulled back the curtain on Charles’ true nature, and the picture he paints is both unexpected and heartwarming.
While many see King Charles as a man of tradition, ceremony, and stately duties, Jack Stooks reveals a side of the monarch that few get to witness—one of genuine curiosity, hands-on involvement, and a deep passion for the earth beneath his feet.
Speaking to The Mirror, Jack recalled how King Charles never treated his royal gardens like mere decoration. “He was very much on the ball all the time,” Jack shared. “If he came home at the weekend, he would be out in the garden checking what’s been done, what hasn’t been done.”
Far from being aloof or disengaged, Charles showed a remarkable attention to detail—something that deeply impressed his gardening team. “He would be like, ‘This needs doing, that needs doing,’” Jack said. “So, it was really good to know that you’re working for somebody that actually took everything in.”
It’s a rare compliment in the world of high-profile employers, and even rarer when that employer wears a crown. But Jack’s admiration for the King runs deeper than simple acknowledgment. What truly mattered, he said, was knowing their work was not just being noticed—but appreciated.
“He was interested in the garden; he knew what was going on,” Jack continued. “So, we all had the sense of satisfaction that we would get something right and know that it was actually being enjoyed and admired by the person who owns it.”
This isn’t the first time King Charles’ love for horticulture has come to light. Throughout his decades as Prince of Wales, he championed organic farming, sustainable gardening, and environmental causes long before they were considered fashionable.
His private gardens at Highgrove have been featured in documentaries and praised for their ecological balance and design.
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But what Jack’s account reveals is that Charles wasn’t just lending his name to these projects—he was in the dirt, asking questions, and making sure every flower and hedge lived up to his vision.
Royal watchers have long noted Charles’ green-thumbed legacy. In fact, his deep involvement in environmental issues became the foundation for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. But where William focuses on global change, Charles has always found meaning in the small details—especially those in his own backyard.
What makes Jack’s story so powerful is the simplicity of it. Amid palace protocols and formal engagements, here was a king who stopped to smell the roses—literally—and made sure those tending them felt valued.
It’s no secret that the monarchy has struggled in recent years to appear relatable and grounded. But Charles’ deep love of the natural world, paired with his quiet moments of genuine appreciation, paint a picture of a monarch deeply rooted in purpose.
As the King continues his reign while undergoing treatment for cancer, these glimpses into his past offer a poignant reminder: leadership isn’t just about policy or prestige—it’s about presence. And whether it’s with heads of state or humble gardeners, King Charles has shown he knows how to be present.
For Jack Stooks, those two decades under Charles’ watch weren’t just a job—they were a shared passion. And for the King, every bloom in those royal gardens wasn’t just for show—it was part of a lifelong mission to live in harmony with nature. It turns out, the crown sits just as comfortably on a man in a well-worn pair of gardening gloves.
