Some family members reportedly saw his actions as overstepping royal boundaries
While Charles has long been known for his passion for climate change awareness, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and biodiversity, one particular move during his years as heir caused friction within the royal family.
According to Valentine Low’s book Power and the Palace, Charles often wrote letters to government ministers, including former Education Secretary Ken Clarke, in an effort to influence policy. A former royal aide said, “They would sometimes get exercised about the Prince getting a bit ahead of the skis, becoming a bit more engaged in some of these sensitive issues than the Queen thought was necessarily wise.”
The book also notes that other royals, including Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, felt his intense interest in such matters bordered on naïve. A Palace source said the late Queen Elizabeth II advised him simply, “Just don’t do it.”
Charles went on to become monarch following the Queen’s death three years ago. Marking the anniversary, he shared a heartfelt tribute online, writing, “Remembering Queen Elizabeth II, 1926–2022,” alongside a collection of photos honouring her life.
