King Charles is the happiest monarch around – here's the photo proof

Keep calm and smile on. While there are some who may perceive royals as stiff and reserved, King Charles III isn’t one to hide his emotions. His Majesty is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, and is often seen breaking into a smile or laugh during engagements. Since ascending the throne in 2022, Charles has proven to be one of the happiest monarchs around.

Continue scrolling for cheerful photos of the King and his infectious smile, sure to brighten your day!

A smile and a shake from the King as he met patients and staff members at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre in 2026.

The monarch let out a laugh while sitting on the throne in the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament during a visit to Ottawa in May 2025.

The monarch was caught laughing as he inspected the honor guard during the Ceremony of the Keys at Lancaster Castle in 2025.

We want in on this joke! The King and Donald Trump exchanged laughs during a ceremonial welcome for the U.S. President and First Lady Melania Trump during their second state visit to the UK.

A King ready for kickoff! Charles was presented with an American football while visiting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.

Charles smiled as he embraced his niece Zara Tindall with a hug at the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show.

I love a pair of sunglasses, but the best accessory one can wear is a smile! Charles had both at the 2023 Sandringham Flower Show.

His Majesty appeared to be in great spirits at a state banquet during his 2023 state visit to Germany.

Paging Dr. McSmiley! The monarch laughed while trying his hand at CPR on a mannequin during a 2025 visit to the Royal College of Nursing.

Charles was looking cool and more than content at a 2025 reception for the King Charles III Charitable Fund (KCCF).

The royal let out a laugh while at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in 2023.

Proud dad King Charles smiled at his firstborn, Prince William, as the monarch handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his son in 2024.

Holding a glass of wine in Bordeaux, France would make me smile too!

The King was overcome with emotion as he returned to public duties for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was revealed in 2024.

Charles smiled beside his “darling wife,” Queen Camilla, after arriving at Ottawa Airport in 2025.

The King and French President Emmanuel Macron traded laughs at Élysée Palace in 2023.

The King could not contain his laughter next to his sister Princess Anne at the 2023 Braemar Gathering in Scotland.

Happiness overload, continued.

Charles was all smiles in 2023 as he posed with Prince’s Trust International Enterprise Challenge participants in Nairobi, Kenya.

His Majesty was looking smart and happy at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2024.

Royals, they’re just like us…a cake brings a smile to our faces too!

The monarch flashed a bright smile while at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.

The King and a World War II veteran laughed together during a tea party at Buckingham Palace in 2025.

Have we made our point yet?!

If not, don’t worry, we have plenty more examples!

There were more laughs at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in 2025.

…and during a visit to the Whittle Laboratory in Cambridge in 2023.

His Majesty was cracking up at Royal Ascot in 2023.

He also caught a case of the laughs during a visit to the Kellogg’s headquarters in 2023.

The monarch laughed through a handshake while at an event celebrating the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance at St. James’s Palace in 2024.

Want even more exclusive royal content, unrivalled expert insight, instant digital access to HELLO!’s weekly issues and our full archive, as well as discounts to our in-house events? Sign up to HELLO! VIP for just £4.25 a month.

King Charles is the happiest monarch around – here’s the photo proof