The instant No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, updated with exclusive new material on the tests and triumphs of 2025

'Scoops aplenty are here . . . An irresistible insider account of momentous royal events' – Melanie Reid, The Times

'Fascinating . . . the book everyone is talking about' – Daily Mail

By the acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Robert Hardman, Charles III is an intimate portrait of the monarch that draws on unrivalled access to the Royal Family, their close friends and staff, plus previously unseen papers from the Royal Archives.

With damaging headlines unleashed by the Sussexes, political crises and questions about the future of the monarchy, Charles III had no shortage of challenges when he came to the throne. The Royal Family then faced a double blow in early 2024 when the King and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer. By the end of the year, the King had returned to regular duties, dealing with a new government at home and diplomatic turmoil abroad. As head of state of fifteen nations, he would soon find himself caught up in the new and uncertain world order taking shape following the election of President Trump.

The dramatic story is uncovered here, along with the vital role played by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and others. From the emotional days following the death of Elizabeth II and the truth about the King’s relationship with Prince William and Prince Harry to his handling of Prince Andrew, Hardman takes us behind the pomp and ceremony to reveal Charles the man as well as the monarch.

Authoritative and richly insightful, Charles III is the definitive account of a king determined to maximize ‘the time God grants me’ – and enjoy it.

'This glorious book reveals the real Charles III. Hardman’s magisterial biography, full of detail about the King, the Queen and the Sussexes alike, will become a historical document' – Simon Heffer, The Telegraph

Fascinating . . . The book everyone is talking about -- Daily Mail
This glorious book reveals the real Charles III. Hardman’s magisterial biography, full of detail about the King, the Queen and the Sussexes alike, will become a historical document -- Simon Heffer, The Telegraph
Scoops aplenty are here . . . An irresistible insider account of momentous royal events. Here is as accurate a portrayal of the King as we are likely to get -- Melanie Reid, The Times
He did it with Elizabeth II and now he has done it again with Charles III. Robert Hardman is the unsurpassed grand master when it comes to the inside story of the modern monarchy. Full of surprises and glorious detail -- Andrew Roberts, author of George III: The Life and Reign of Britain's Most Misunderstood Monarch
A superb, fascinating account of the new King, his court and the first year of his reign. Elegantly written by the most authoritative of royal historians writing today, it is deeply researched, impeccably sourced and filled with scoops and new details. This is the definitive book -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of The Romanovs
With impressive access to the royal family, Robert Hardman offers an insider account of the first year of King Charles III’s reign -- The Independent
Impressive -- The Washington Post
No one does it better than Hardman -- A.N. Wilson, TLS
Authoritative from the start . . . a most engaging introduction to the new reign -- Hugo Vickers, The Oldie
Superbly researched and fascinating -- Tanya Gold, The Spectator

Robert Hardman is an internationally renowned writer and broadcaster who has specialized in royalty and history for more than twenty-five years. He is the author of the Sunday Times Top 10 bestselling biography of Elizabeth II, Queen of Our Times. His other books include Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Our Queen and Queen of the World, along with the BBC and ITV television documentaries of the same name.

Among other television credits, he wrote and presented the BBC Two documentary George III: The Genius of the Mad King and wrote the BBC series The Queen’s Castle. Hardman interviewed the then Prince of Wales for the BBC’s Charles at 60, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, for the BBC’s The Duke: In His Own Words and the Princess Royal for ITV’s Anne: The Princess Royal at 70. He wrote and co-produced the BBC’s Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, for which he interviewed a dozen members of the Royal Family. He is also an award-winning newspaper journalist for the Daily Mail in London.