Speaking to 9News outside Windsor Castle, Kristina Kyriacou, who worked as the King’s communication secretary and special adviser from 2009 to 2017, has said King Charles III never got involved in planning for his reign.
“Of course, during that period, behind-the-scenes we were all leading up to this moment,” she said.
“And he never got involved in that – because it meant contemplating the death of his mother.
“He was very much in the background,” she said.
Kyriacou went on to say she thought the grieving new King had been given strength by the public’s support.
“He has always gained strength from the members of the public,” she said.
“His grief has been assuaged somewhat by the amount of support he has received all over the world for the job he is doing.”
“Today will be a day laiden with grief, and after today is when he will start to take stock of the responsibilities and the new role that he is assumed.”
Planning has been underway for the Queen’s death for 40 to 50 years according to royal commentator Dickie Arbiter.