One of the strangest things about the monarchy is this. The work in the life of King Charles III, the work he has been preparing for over 73 years as heir to the throne, is completely contingent and clearly parallel to one of the greatest losses of his life, the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, who died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday.

In other words, at the same time that the new king is ascending to the throne and assuming all the duties necessary to do so, he is also in deep mourning, devastated by the loss of his mother, whom he adored and, according to Us Weekly, Prince Charles has spent a lifetime training while fighting a profound grief role, and is relying on him to do so.

"Prince Charles calls Camilla a "tower of strength." King Charles calls Camilla a "tower of strength." The transition to a new era without his beloved mother is obviously a difficult time for him, and he is incredibly emotional."

With the Queen's death on Thursday, the role of monarch passed immediately to Charles. Prince Charles was able to be at his mother's bedside when she died and remained at Balmoral with Camilla until Friday.

"Prince Charles knows he will not surpass the queen, nor does he think he will, but he intends to make a difference in his own unique way," a source told Us Weekly, adding that the new king is "working closely with Prince William in a streamlined monarchy and He is working closely with Prince William in a slimmed-down monarchy," he added.

Later on Friday, the King made his first speech as the new monarch, officially announcing Camilla's new title, Queen Consort, and declaring William and his wife Kate the new Prince and Princess of Wales. In his speech, Prince Charles also expressed his love for his second son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Princess Meghan, as they "continue to build their lives abroad." At this moment, royal expert Gareth Russell told Us Weekly that it was an "olive branch" to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex amidst ongoing tensions in the royal family.

In his speech, Prince Charles also extended the period of British mourning for the Queen from now until seven days after Her Majesty's funeral (a date for the funeral has not yet been announced). During the period of mourning, television comedy programs in the UK will be suspended and flags will be flown at half-staff.

A second source told Us Weekly that "the royal family knew that Elizabeth's death was near," but that the family is "struggling to come to terms" with the reality of her death. Prince Charles and Prince William are balancing their new royal duties with mourning, sources say, especially Harry, who is reeling from the death of his beloved grandmother.

"Harry is riddled with guilt and filled with grief and regret for not being able to say goodbye to the Queen," the source says. (Harry arrived at Balmoral on Thursday, and the Queen had already passed away.") They met several times during the Platinum Jubilee, but he never thought it would be the last time he would see the Queen". He loved his grandmother dearly. The news has not yet been fully accepted."