King Charles simply 'getting on' with royal duty as he marks 3rd anniversary of accession

King Charles will remember his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, privately in Scotland tomorrow, the third anniversary of her death. As gun salutes and abbey bells mark the anniversary of his accession around the UK, Charles will continue the tradition of spending the day in Aberdeenshire, where the late Queen passed after a record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

The King, who has spent the summer between his Birkhall residence and Balmoral, will use the day as a moment of quiet reflection. Accession Day is a poignant time for the King, as it marks both the start of his reign and the loss of his beloved mother. It is not a day to rejoice but one to reflect.

The late Queen always marked her Accession Day at Sandringham, the Norfolk estate where her father died in 1952. And now Charles is following that tradition by staying at Balmoral Castle, where his 96-year-old mother passed away on September 8, 2022.

He won't be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales in Scotland, who plan to mark the day in their own way in Windsor.

While he and the Queen will remember the indomitable spirit of the UK's longest-serving monarch, they will also contemplate how his own legacy is unfolding.

Three years in, and the defining features of the Carolean era are coming into full view.

Charles's tireless work ethic, boundless enthusiasm for the job and ability to use his voice to bring communities together in times of conflict and uncertainty show the nation that he is a man who understands.

He's human, authentic and is using his role to steer the ship through difficult times.

The King is still firmly rooted in tradition and his mother's example, but he's more forthright and willing to push the boundaries a little further than the late Queen.

But Charles is not the interventionist he was when he was the Prince of Wales. He understands his role and ensures that he always remains within the parameters of his constitutional role.

A senior royal aide remarked: "Almost three years on, everyone has a clear impression of what that is and the role that he will play - one that is both traditional for the monarchy and distinct to His Majesty.

"Leveraging on the long relationships he has built over the years, he has enhanced his role as a global statesman on so many issues, wielding soft power to the benefit of all the realms and commonwealth nations at a time of great international challenge.

"He has dealt with his illness in a very human way and the way he's engaging with the public at a very human level. I think we now have a clear idea of what the Carolean age looks like and what it stands for - now and hopefully for many years to come."

The past year has allowed him to put his foot on the gas more than he could in 2024, a year that many consider his annus horriblus due to the myriad of health challenges affecting senior royals and the unhelpful headlines raised by two of the Firm's black sheep, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry.

The Princess of Wales has now returned to work following the welcome news that she is in remission from cancer, and while the King continues to be treated for cancer, he has managed to maintain an incredible number of engagements both home and abroad despite his ongoing cancer treatment.

Sources continue to marvel at how much energy and enthusiasm the monarch has each day. "He's just getting on with it," one Palace source remarked, while another, rather determinedly, said everything "continues to move in the right direction."

After his whirlwind 24-hour visit to Canada in May, a senior royal aide said the King is dealing "incredibly will" with his undisclosed cancer by living life as "normal as possible".

"The thing you learn about this illness is that you just manage it and that's what he does," the aide said. "The medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him. As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible... that's exactly what he is doing."

Other than his brief hospital admission in March, where he was treated for temporary side effects of his cancer treatment, it's easy to forget that the King is still being treated for cancer.

Charles keeps a punishing schedule of engagements as he's determined not to be defined by his illness. He thrives on meeting crowds and is frustrated when his team - and his wife - advise him to slow down.

Having firmly settled into his role as head of state, all that's left is to resolve the complicated issue of his youngest son.

Members of the Firm are resolute in their stance that Harry should not be forgiven for his repeated attacks on the family, making reconciliation difficult.

The King has done his best to avoid responding to the frequent outbursts from Montecito, and as a caring, loving father and grandfather he recognises the need to move past the last few years.

Both sides remain tight-lipped about whether a meeting will take place this week, with Harry returning to the UK for the WellChild awards ceremony this evening.

It will be the start of several days of engagements for Harry, giving rise to hopes that father and son could meet.

If ever there was a time for reconciliation, it's now. The Duke's long-fought case against the Home Office has come to an end, a major sticking point in their relationship, and the dust has settled after his memoir and tell-all TV series with his wife.

The issue of trust will remain a sticking point and it will be up to Harry to prove that he won't run to the press every time either side picks up the phone.

But on the anniversary of the death of a woman who served as a symbol of stability, service and strength, perhaps it's time to find some sort of peace and move forward.

Queen Elizabeth remained a calm and reassuring presence throughout her long life, and as we remember her enduring legacy today, we must admire her son's dogged determination to continue down her well-trodden path, no matter what life throws at him.