King Charles is the happiest monarch around – here's the photo proof


His reign has been full of smiles


King Charles, King of smiles
Alexandra Hurtado
Alexandra HurtadoUS Royal News Correspondent - New York
Updated: 2 minutes ago
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Keep calm and smile on. While there are some who may perceive royals as stiff and reserved, King Charles III isn't one to hide his emotions. His Majesty is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, and is often seen breaking into a smile or laugh during engagements. Since ascending the throne in 2022, Charles has proven to be one of the happiest monarchs around.  

 Continue scrolling for cheerful photos of the King and his infectious smile, sure to brighten your day!

Meet and greet© Getty Images

Meet and greet

A smile and a shake from the King as he met patients and staff members at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre in 2026.

The monarch let out a laugh while sitting on the throne in the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament during a visit to Ottawa in May 2025.© Getty Images

Game of thrones

The monarch let out a laugh while sitting on the throne in the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament during a visit to Ottawa in May 2025.

The monarch was caught laughing as he inspected the honor guard during the Ceremony of the Keys at Lancaster Castle in 2025.© Getty Images

The keys to happiness

The monarch was caught laughing as he inspected the honor guard during the Ceremony of the Keys at Lancaster Castle in 2025.

Top Trump© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Top Trump

We want in on this joke! The King and Donald Trump exchanged laughs during a ceremonial welcome for the U.S. President and First Lady Melania Trump during their second state visit to the UK.
A King ready for kickoff! Charles was presented with an American football while visiting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.© Getty Images

Having a ball

A King ready for kickoff! Charles was presented with an American football while visiting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.

Charles smiled as he embraced his niece Zara Tindall with a hug at the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show.© Getty Images

Horsing around

Charles smiled as he embraced his niece Zara Tindall with a hug at the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show.

I love a pair of sunglasses, but the best accessory one can wear is a smile! Charles at both at the 2023 Sandringham Flower Show.© Getty Images

Touch of glass

I love a pair of sunglasses, but the best accessory one can wear is a smile! Charles had both at the 2023 Sandringham Flower Show.

His Majesty appeared to be in great spirits at a state banquet during his 2023 state visit to Germany.© Getty Images

Blythe spirit

His Majesty appeared to be in great spirits at a state banquet during his 2023 state visit to Germany.

Laughter's the best medicine© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Laughter's the best medicine

Paging Dr. McSmiley! The monarch laughed while trying his hand at CPR on a mannequin during a 2025 visit to the Royal College of Nursing.

Cool dude© Getty Images

Cool dude

Charles was looking cool and more than content at a 2025 reception for the King Charles III Charitable Fund (KCCF).

Delight at the museum© Getty Images

Delight at the museum

The royal let out a laugh while at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in 2023.

Proud dad King Charles smiled at his firstborn, Prince William, as the monarch handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his son in 2024.© WireImage

My boy

Proud dad King Charles smiled at his firstborn, Prince William, as the monarch handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his son in 2024.

Holding a glass of wine in Bordeaux, France would make me smile too!© WireImage

Grapes of mirth

Holding a glass of wine in Bordeaux, France would make me smile too!

The King was overcome with emotion as he returned to public duties for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was revealed in 2024.© Samir Hussein/WireImage

Flower power

The King was overcome with emotion as he returned to public duties for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was revealed in 2024.

Charles smiled beside his "darling wife," Queen Camilla, after arriving at Ottawa Airport in 2025.© Getty Images

To laugh and cherish

Charles smiled beside his "darling wife," Queen Camilla, after arriving at Ottawa Airport in 2025.

The King and French President Emmanuel Macron traded laughs at Élysée Palace in 2023.© Getty Images

French connection

The King and French President Emmanuel Macron traded laughs at Élysée Palace in 2023.

Scot to be kidding© Getty Images

Scot to be kidding

The King could not contain his laughter next to his sister Princess Anne at the 2023 Braemar Gathering in Scotland. 


Sock it to 'em© Getty Images

Sock it to 'em

Happiness overload, continued.

By hook or by book© Samir Hussein/WireImage

By hook or by book

Charles was all smiles in 2023 as he posed with Prince's Trust International Enterprise Challenge participants in Nairobi, Kenya. 

His Majesty was looking smart and happy at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2024. © Getty Images

Hatta boy

His Majesty was looking smart and happy at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2024.

Crowning glory© Getty Images

Crowning glory

Royals, they're just like us...a cake brings a smile to our faces too!

The monarch flashed a bright smile while at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.© Getty Images

Spurred on

The monarch flashed a bright smile while at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025.

The King and a World War II veteran laughed together during a tea party at Buckingham Palace in 2025.© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Vet's a good one

The King and a World War II veteran laughed together during a tea party at Buckingham Palace in 2025.

Have we made our point yet?© WireImage

To the point

Have we made our point yet?!

If not, there are plenty of more examples!© Getty Images

Your country needs you (to smile)

If not, don't worry, we have plenty more examples!

There were more laughs at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in 2025.© Getty Images

Highland japes

There were more laughs at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in 2025.

...and during a visit to the Whittle Laboratory in Cambridge in 2023.© Getty Images

Quite the Whittle

...and during a visit to the Whittle Laboratory in Cambridge in 2023.

Race off© Getty Images

Race off

His Majesty was cracking up at Royal Ascot in 2023.

Cereal fun© Getty Images

Cereal fun

He also caught a case of the laughs during a visit to the Kellogg's headquarters in 2023. 

The monarch laughed through a handshake while at an event celebrating the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance at St. James's Palace in 2024.© Getty Images

Shaking with laughter

The monarch laughed through a handshake while at an event celebrating the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance at St. James's Palace in 2024.

Smiles to go© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Smiles to go

Long may he smile!

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