Jack Stooks reveals the surprising work ethic and humanity behind King Charles’ royal façade

After spending over two decades tending to the manicured grounds of Highgrove House, Jack Stooks, King Charles III’s former gardener, has lifted the lid on what it was really like working for Britain’s reigning monarch—and the one remark that revealed his true character.

Speaking candidly, Stooks described the King not as a distant or formal figure but as someone deeply engaged, hands-on, and wholly committed to his passion for the environment. “It was quite odd at first, being told what to do by a royal,” he admitted, “but it became clear quickly that he was totally on the ball.”

Charles, who had long made Highgrove his personal sanctuary, was no absentee landowner. “If he came home at the weekend, he’d be out in the garden first thing,” said Stooks. “He’d look around at what had and hadn’t been done, and on Monday mornings he’d always say, ‘This needs doing, that needs doing.’ It showed how much he paid attention—and cared.”

This, Stooks says, was the comment that exposed Charles’ true colours: not just a man with a title, but someone actively invested in his surroundings and the people who helped maintain them. “Knowing the person you work for actually notices and appreciates your work—that mattered,” he said. “It gave us all a sense of pride.”

Jack’s time at Highgrove didn’t just offer insight into Charles’ work ethic. He also met Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Prince Harry. Despite Meghan Markle’s comments in her Netflix documentary about the surprising “formality” of royal life, Stooks insists the family are far more down-to-earth than the public might assume.

“I think people forget—they’re human too. People complain, ‘Why do we give them our money?’ but the work they do is immense,” said Stooks. “From my experience, they were just… normal. The King especially was very involved, very present.”

Speaking on behalf of Prime Casino, Stooks also praised the King’s determination during his recent cancer battle. “He’s a trooper,” he said. “He just keeps going. He could easily say, ‘I’m ill, I need to stop,’ and the country would understand. But he doesn’t. He just gets on with it.”

Stooks credited Queen Camilla as well. “She could’ve stepped back too,” he added. “But there she is, right beside him, supporting him always.”

Jack’s memories reveal a portrait of King Charles far removed from the aloof figure sometimes imagined by the public. Instead, he paints him as an attentive leader, passionate gardener, and a man who values the details—down to every plant in his beloved garden.

His reflections serve as a reminder that behind the palace walls and ceremonial robes is a monarch who gets his hands dirty—literally—and one who commands respect not by status alone, but by effort and integrity.