Nightmare behind closed doors’: King Charles thought to be frustrated with state of monarchy

King Charles III is “frustrated” over the current face of the monarchy, according to his former butler.

The monarch, 75, was forced to hit the brakes on much of his royal agenda after he was diagnosed with cancer in February.

The following month, his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton revealed that she, too, is in the midst of her own battle with cancer.

As two senior members of the Firm undergo treatment for their respective diagnoses, the royal family has been forced to undergo a major reshuffle. “Behind closed doors, it’s all a bit of a muddle,” Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, exclusively told The New York Post. “Obviously, the king is trying to get better, that’s going to be the big focus.

I think Charles will find it very frustrating that he’s not able to work as much, I can believe that — I know what he’s like, he’s a workaholic,” Harrold said. “I’m sure that will be frustrating.”

With the king and the Princess of Wales, 42, out of action, “the monarchy is working at 50% capacity right now,” Harrold notes.

Even though you have all the other royals standing in, it’s not the same,” he adds. “I can imagine it’s a bit of a nightmare behind closed doors for the actual Firm as such.”

“The face of the monarchy at the moment is not how it should be,” the royal expert added.

While initial palace guidance said that Middleton won’t return to royal duties until after Easter, it’s now been said that she won’t return to the royal fold until after she’s given the all-clear by her doctors.

The mother of three had already stepped back from her duties after having abdominal surgery in January.

She then started chemotherapy in late February after post-operative tests and results uncovered the disease. “Kate previously spoke about coming back to work in spring, but there were talks of her not appearing at the Trooping of the Colour, so maybe we’re looking at six to nine months until we see her back in action,” Harrold told The Post.

Once she’s had her treatment, there’s going to be a recovery period, but Kate will be keen to be getting on with stuff as soon as she can.”

While the princess continues her treatment, the palace said Prince William, the heir to the throne, will carry on with his official royal appearances.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.