'Charles can weld the nation together', says his former private secretary

16 September 2022, 11:22

Charles is "the best prepared sovereign that we’ve ever had,” says Sir Stephen Lamport
Charles is "the best prepared sovereign that we’ve ever had,” says Sir Stephen Lamport. Picture: Getty

By StephenRigley

“The sovereign has an ability to weld the nation together in a way that politicians can’t,” said King Charles’ ex-Private Secretary, Sir Stephen Lamport.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Praising the new monarch, Sir Stephen Lamport said: “[The King] has a very strong sense of the wholeness of the kingdom. I think he’s the kind of person that can actually represent the importance of that union in a way that politicians would find very difficult to do.”

Sir Stephen worked for the then Prince of Wales from 1996 to 2002 as his Private Secretary.

Read more: How to join the queue for Queen's lying-in-state: What to bring and how security works

“The King has a very strong sense of the importance of the unity of the kingdom,” Sir Stephen Lamport said. “His love for Scotland is deep-rooted, like his mother’s. His love for Wales is deep-rooted. He goes to Northern Ireland frequently.”

The union may become a significant theme in the monarch’s reign as the SNP push for a second referendum on Scottish independence, and the pro-Irish Republic party, Sinn Féin, hold the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Later today, King Charles will visit Wales on the next stop in his tour of the nations as new monarch. As crowds already line the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the King, Charles and Camilla will attend a prayer and reflection service for the late Queen at Cardiff’s Llandaff Cathedral.

Read more: King Charles to visit Wales with public invited to greet new monarch

King Charles has already visited Scotland and Northern Ireland where he attended ceremonies in remembrance of his mother and greeted the well-wishing public.

Sir Stephen Lamport (front left) was Private Secretary to the then Prince of Wales from 1996 to 2002
Sir Stephen Lamport (front left) was Private Secretary to the then Prince of Wales from 1996 to 2002. Picture: Getty

Read more: 'Common sense has prevailed': Harry and Andrew win battle to wear military uniforms for Westminster Hall vigils

Sir Stephen said of the King: “He’s an extraordinary man. He has a deeply embedded sense of service and duty right in his DNA, as his mother did. He’s immensely hard-working. He cares utterly about this country and about the people in it. He’s got a profound sense of history.

“He's the best-prepared sovereign that we’ve ever had.”

A video emerged of King Charles becoming increasingly angry over a leaking pen earlier in the week whilst signing a book at his royal residence at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.

Sir Stephen Lamport defended the King. “He has had the most emotionally draining and demanding week. He must be immensely tired. He’s travelled up and down the country in the course of the week.

“He is going through a huge amount to do his duty, to act as King, and to lead this country in the way that his mother did. I think it’s entirely understandable and shouldn’t detract in our sense of how important and good he will be as our next sovereign.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

Harry and Meghan at the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.

Meghan and Prince Harry cheer on Team UK at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Daisy the Labrador.

Stolen dog reunited with family after seven years

Irish boxer John Cooney.

Boxer dies from a brain bleed, from injury during championship fight

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Kanye West.

Rapper Kanye West advertises t-shirt featuring a Nazi swastika, after 'antisemitic rampage' on X

Andrew Gwynne.

Minister sacked after posting he hoped 'pensioner who didn’t vote Labour would die' in WhatsApp group

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road.

Two arrested as protesters clash with police outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'She's terrible': Trump takes swipe at Meghan, but will not deport Prince Harry

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King.

'She was grateful for life': parents of Southport stabbing victims pay tribute to their children

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road at the rally.

Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

The father of the Huszti sisters has said he believes his daughters were "kidnapped" and "cruelly killed"

Heartbroken father of sisters found dead in River Dee believes they were 'lured to their death'

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star breaks silence over death of mum found dead in French villa with her husband

Harvey Willgoose's parents Caroline Willgoose (left) and Mark (right) holder a banner as they march to Bramall Lane in memory of their son

Hundreds gather for memorial march after 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose stabbed to death at school in Sheffield