This rare joint event for King Charles and Prince William is another sign of their connection, both as father and son and monarch and heir. When William announced that he would be taking a step back from public duties to support the Princess of Wales recuperation following her cancer diagnosis, he apparently did so with the King’s wholehearted blessing.
Theirs is a bond that has been best formed in moments of adversity, not least the shock departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the UK when they abandoned their royal roles, forcing the rest of the family to close ranks. Since the death of Queen Elizabeth, Charles and William have worked together in lock-step as the King and future King, which has no doubt also strengthened their relationship. This shared experience of cancer has, perhaps, brought them closer than ever.
Earlier that day, King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden to Home Park for a ceremonial tree planting
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The Windsor Castle reception came after King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden for an official state visit. The two royal couples planted a Swedish oak tree in the grounds of Home Park to mark King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Coronation, and a twinned tree will also be planted by Crown Princess Victoria back in Stockholm.