He never had a strong desire to live in Windsor Castle, largely because of the noise of planes flying over to Heathrow.
But the King seems to have changed his mind in recent months and is busy making his unique mark on the estate of the late Queen’s Berkshire.
Workmen have been seen redecorating Queen Elizabeth’s private apartments, while staff have put some of her belongings into storage and brought in many of the new monarch’s favorite works of art and antiques.
On the property, Charles, 74, has also expanded his eco credentials.
New electric car charging points are being installed in several places on the Windsor estate and thousands of new saplings are being planted.
King Charles (pictured) never had a strong desire to live in Windsor Castle, largely because of the noise of planes flying over to Heathrow.
Work has begun on a new drinking water fountain outside Windsor Castle
A flight from Heathrow Airport passes the Round Tower of Windsor Castle while climbing after takeoff
Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and has been home to English kings and queens for nearly 1,000 years.
It is an official royal residence and home to about 150 people, hosting both ceremonial and state functions.
Queen Elizabeth loved it so much she spent most weekends there in her apartments in the Upper Ward, overlooking the Quadrangle at the front and the Rose Garden – designed by Prince Philip – at the back.
The apartments are private and rarely seen by the public, although they became more familiar as the late sovereign spent more time in Windsor – sometimes four nights a week – as she aged.
She and her late husband moved full-time during the Covid pandemic, as the Queen embraced video calling culture from her personal suite – allowing royal onlookers a glimpse into a hitherto unexplored part of her life.
While Windsor is loved by all the Royal Family, King Charles has always preferred the tranquility of Highgrove, the Gloucestershire home and estate he purchased in 1980.
He has put his heart and soul into the gardens and estate, which are now a tourist attraction in their own right, raising more than £7 million for charity to date.
However, multiple sources said the king is now spending more and more time in Windsor.
Some of the thousands of new trees being planted in Windsor Great Park
An old building gives way to the construction of a new building on the Windsor estate
This started before his mother died when he started staying the night before holding an inauguration to spend quality time with her.
Since last September his visits have increased in frequency and duration, with the King now often staying two or three nights a week and increasingly conducting official business from the castle as Buckingham Palace continues to undergo extensive renovations.
Although most of their staff have moved to the monarch’s official residence, he and the Queen Consort still live across The Mall at Clarence House.
King Charles still uses his existing suite of rooms at Windsor Castle, but workmen have been seen in the late Queen’s apartments, suggesting he may be planning to take over later.
And the sad business of moving the late Queen’s possessions – some into storage and cataloging others for posterity – has begun.
“The king is making the castle more to his liking, as expected, and is bringing some of his favorite artwork and possessions to make it feel more homely,” a source said.
Now that the Prince and Princess of Wales have moved to Windsor, taking over Adelaide Cottage during the school year, Charles will be able to see his grandchildren more.
While well-placed sources say the long-term plan had always been for the Prince and Princess of Wales to move into the castle as soon as possible, the couple and their young family seem very happy where they are.
And there is always the option of moving into Royal Lodge if Prince Andrew leaves it, as is the King’s plan.
The King is introducing eco-friendly changes to Windsor, including electric car charging points
The courtyard of Windsor Castle as an airplane flies over it
However, he resists the suggestion of moving into Frogmore Cottage when Harry and Meghan are evicted by early summer. Although it has five bedrooms, it is much smaller and ‘pokier’ than his existing home.
The King was appointed Ranger of Windsor Great Park last November, inheriting the title from his late father, who held it for 70 years.
Since then he has been exceptionally hands-on, sources say, meeting with staff, residents and visitors, promoting environmental best practices where possible and assisting the Crown Estate in its goal of making Windsor net zero by 2030.
The Windsor farm has gone organic – encouraged by the King – and he has implemented a massive tree and hedge planting programme.
The estate already has renewable energy in the form of biomass heating with wood chips from the estate and the king is looking for opportunities to expand this.
