‘King Charles edited my story – he crossed out one word’ | Royal | News

King Charles III once edited a journalist’s commentary and replaced the phrase “royal power” with a single word; in a move that royal writer Robert Jobson said revealed the monarch’s true priorities. As the king continues treatment for cancer while facing renewed scrutiny over the behavior of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the anecdote has resurfaced and brought renewed focus to how he defines his role at the helm of the monarchy.

Jobson, a veteran royal correspondent who has covered the Royal Family for decades, recalled the exchange years ago when one of his insights unexpectedly found its way into Charles’ hands during a flight. Speaking to The Sun Royal Secrecy The royal biographer said on the podcast: “[The King] He is a good man and a good man, both of which I want to emphasize. I think if you’ve seen the movie Harmony, ironically they premiered around the time when all this stuff started falling apart, that’s how he wants his legacy to be. And, you know, it seems like you shouldn’t necessarily judge the man by his brother.”

documentary RapportThe book, published this year and narrated by Kate Winslet, explored Charles’ environmental philosophy and long-running campaigns on sustainability; he championed these causes decades before they became mainstream.

But it was the marked comment that made the clearest impression on Jobson.

“But I remember having an exchange with the King many years ago. I wrote a commentary piece, and somehow I had him read that commentary piece – while we were on the plane. It came back with all the scribbles on it, and the person then showed it to me. The only thing I wrote – ‘power, royal power’ and things like that – it was all scribbled out, and the word ‘leadership’ was written. Leadership – that’s what he emphasized.”

According to Jobson, the change was more than stylistic. This reflected how Charles viewed modern monarchy; as an institution defined not by authority but by example and responsibility.

Jobson’s thoughts on Charles’ editorial come at a time when Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are under renewed scrutiny. Multiple UK police forces are currently reviewing information contained in three million pages of documents released last month by the US Department of Justice detailing Epstein’s extensive network.

Essex Police confirmed it was assessing information regarding private flights to and from Stansted Airport. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the documents showed in “graphic detail” how Epstein used the airport to transport girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. Stansted Airport has stated that it does not manage or have visibility over passenger arrangements on privately operated aircraft.

Surrey Police are investigating the allegation in a 2020 FBI report into alleged child abuse involving Andrew and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Norfolk and Bedfordshire police are also examining the documents, while the National Police Chiefs’ Council has set up a national group to support forces assessing the allegations.

Thames Valley Police confirmed they were looking into allegations that Andrew shared secret trade envoy reports with Epstein. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing regarding his Epstein connections but has not directly addressed the latest allegations.

In this context, Jobson said the pressure on the King was considerable: “Unfortunately, I think this is a man who is fighting cancer bravely. He is doing his best to do the best he can for his country and I think he is doing a great job.”

“But now, at this time when he needs that strength, his other son is on the other side of the Atlantic, and his brother has acted that way. He needs the strength and support of his son William, which I think he has, but he needs to show that leadership. Unfortunately, it’s really hard for him. But that’s the point.”