King Charles will be absent from Princess Charlotte's birthday celebrations next month, as his State Visit concludes in Bermuda on May 2, the same day his granddaughter turns 11.
The 77-year-old monarch, widely regarded as a devoted grandfather, faces a demanding itinerary that day.
His Bermuda schedule includes a formal welcome ceremony, engagements focused on arts and culture, the opening of the new Great Bay Coast Guard Station, and meetings with UK Space Agency representatives.
Despite Bermuda being just four hours behind British time, the packed programme leaves minimal opportunity for family contact.
King Charles set to miss Princess Charlotte birthday celebrations
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The King shares a particularly sweet connection with Charlotte, 10, with the pair having several interests in common.
Both grandfather and granddaughter are known to enjoy watching ballet performances together.
King Charles has also been photographed on numerous occasions sporting friendship bracelets on his wrist, accessories almost certainly crafted by Charlotte herself.
The young princess has been seen wearing similar bracelets, which have become popular among Taylor Swift fans as a concert tradition.
Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump and Melania Trump pictured in September 2025 | GETTYSuch gestures reflect the close relationship between the monarch and his granddaughter.
King Charles is recognised as a hands-on grandfather who takes an active part in the lives of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
His closeness with the Wales children was evident at the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, when young Prince Louis felt comfortable enough to clamber onto his grandfather's lap during the celebrations.
However, the King's relationship with his other grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, is more distant.
Princess Charlotte pictured with her father, Prince William, on Easter Sunday
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King Charles and Princess Charlotte pictured on Trooping the Colour last year
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Prince Harry and Meghan's children reside in the United States, limiting contact with the monarch.
While Archie was born in Britain in 2019, King Charles has met his granddaughter Lilibet on just one occasion, in 2022.
Charlotte's milestone birthday follows the Wales children's recent appearance at the Easter Sunday service, where all three siblings struck observers as notably mature.
Despite their increasingly formal roles, tender moments remain, with Charlotte spotted holding hands with her mother, the Princess of Wales, behind the scenes.
The family traditionally marks each child's birthday by releasing a portrait, with last year's image showing Charlotte hiking in Cumbria, captured by the Princess of Wales on her iPhone.