King Charles III is not only the monarch of the United Kingdom but also a devoted and affectionate grandfather. During his three-day visit to Ireland, which began on Tuesday, May 19, Charles took a moment to pick a special gift for his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, showing his tender side amid official duties.
The King, 77, and his wife, Queen Camilla, visited Belfast, where Charles stopped by the Odyssey Place science and discovery centre. The centre features the innovative W5 LIFE hub (Learning Innovation for Everyone), designed to encourage digital learning and creativity.
During the visit, Charles met young business owners supported by the King’s Trust, highlighting his commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship in the next generation.
One standout encounter was with Rachel Rose, founder of the jewellery business Empower Flower. Rose presented Charles with a colorful beaded handbag charm for Princess Charlotte. “Thank you, she will love that,” the King responded, according to a report by Hello! on May 20, 2026.
Princess Charlotte’s Birthday and Royal Family Bonding
Princess Charlotte recently celebrated her 11th birthday on May 2, though Charles was away in Bermuda at the time. Alongside Charlotte, the royal family includes Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 8, children of Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton.
Rachel Rose shared that her motivation for creating vibrant handcrafted charms comes from personal experience. “I wanted to give back after experiencing some dark times myself. I’m trying to encourage people to come off their phones and use their hands to create some magic,” Rose explained. Her products include beaded phone charms, bag charms, and jean charms in playful designs like bows, strawberries, butterflies, and soccer balls.
A Royal Seal of Approval
After meeting Charles, Rose shared her excitement on Instagram, posting a video with the caption:
“I’ll genuinely never get over this moment 😭💗. So thankful and honoured to have been chosen to showcase @empowerflowerworkshops as part of the 50 years celebrations of @kingstrust today in @w5belfast 🫶🏼🧚🏻♀️💗🙏🏻🌸💫.”
She added that her brand now carries the “Royal seal of approval,” emphasizing the significance of her encounter with the King.
Matching Bracelets: A Sign of Grandfather-Granddaughter Bond?
Royal biographer Robert Jobson shared with Hello! that Charles shares a very close bond with Princess Charlotte. “He totally adores her. She loves it when he reads to her in his funny voices,” Jobson noted, highlighting the playful dynamic between grandfather and granddaughter.
This close relationship extends to gift exchanges. In July 2024, Charles was seen wearing a bracelet that appeared to match one worn by Princess Charlotte. The young royal, known for her love of Taylor Swift, showcased her stylish side during Wimbledon that summer, donning a polka-dotted dress and bright pink glasses.
Summary Table of Key Events
| Event | Date | Location | Details | Notable Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland Tour Begins | May 19, 2026 | Belfast | Charles visits Odyssey Place & W5 LIFE hub | N/A |
| Gift for Princess Charlotte | May 19, 2026 | Odyssey Place | Receives beaded handbag charm from Rachel Rose | “Thank you, she will love that.” |
| Princess Charlotte’s Birthday | May 2, 2026 | N/A | Celebrates 11th birthday | N/A |
| Social Media Reaction | May 19, 2026 | Rachel Rose shares video of meeting Charles | “Royal seal of approval 💌💋” | |
| Matching Bracelet Moment | July 2024 | Wimbledon | Charles & Charlotte seen with similar bracelets | N/A |
King Charles III’s Ireland visit highlighted his multifaceted role as both a monarch and a caring grandfather. From supporting young entrepreneurs to personally selecting gifts for Princess Charlotte, Charles balances his official duties with family affection.
The royal family’s public appearances and shared moments, such as gift exchanges and playful interactions, underscore the enduring bond between the King and his grandchildren. These gestures offer a glimpse into the personal side of a modern monarch, showing that even in the spotlight, family connections remain at the heart of royal life.
