King Charles' six-word 'remark' to gardener showed his true colours
King Charles was reportedly a very hands-on boss
King Charles’ former gardener has shared an insight into what it was really like to work for the monarch, and revealed the one six-word phrase the king would regularly say that perfectly summed up his character.
For over two decades, Jack Stooks served as the Head Gardener at Highgrove House and Gardens, Charles and Camilla’s Gloucestershire residence.
During his 21 years on the estate, until his departure in 2024, Jack helped shape the landscape of one of Britain’s most beloved royal gardens.
But it wasn’t just the roses and the meadows that left an impression. It was the king himself.
King Charles’ former gardener opens up about working for the monarch
Speaking about his experience, Jack revealed that Charles’ surprisingly down-to-earth nature was one of the biggest surprises.
“I think for me, it’s just the normality of how they are as people,” Jack said on behalf of Prime Casino, as reported by OK!.
“When people are looking in from the outside, they go, ‘Oh, why do we have to give them our little bit of money every year? We shouldn’t have to do that. How dare they, he’s not our king.’ But the amount of work they do for the country is just immense.”
And according to Jack, Charles wasn’t a distant figure issuing vague instructions. He was as hands-on as they come.
“He was very much on the ball all the time. If he came home at the weekend, he would be out in the garden checking what’s been done, what hasn’t been done,” Jack recalled.
But it was one phrase, often delivered on Monday mornings, that stayed with Jack and summed up the king’s investment in the estate: “This needs doing, that needs doing.”
Even though it was simple, those six words spoke volumes.
They revealed a king who paid attention to detail, cared deeply about the work being done and wasn’t afraid to get involved.
Jack said it was “really good to know that you’re working for somebody that actually took everything in”. He said the king was “interested in the garden” and “knew what was going on”.
‘He’s just not giving up’
Jack also admitted it felt “odd” at first to be taking direct instructions from royalty. But this soon turned into genuine respect.
Over the years, he had run-ins with not only Charles and Camilla but also Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince Harry.
Jack reflected on the king’s character. He described him as surprisingly “normal”, down-to-earth and committed.
He was very much on the ball all the time.
In contrast to public perceptions, he said members of the royal family have a strong work ethic and are dedicated to their roles.
Jack also praised the monarch’s resilience, particularly in light of his cancer diagnosis.
Jack said the king is “just not giving up” as he continues his work and “forces himself to carry on and carry on”. He gushed: “It’s amazing to see.”
The same, Jack said, goes for Queen Camilla who is “supporting [the king] all the time”.
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