King Charles, monarch since September 2022, is subject of a new book by royal expert and journalist Tom Quinn, which also explores the lives of various royal servants

King Charles is prone to “lose his temper in a split second” if his very particular demands aren’t fulfilled, insiders claim in a new book.

The monarch, 76, is said to lash out over small details before instantly regretting it, the bombshell document by royal expert and journalist Tom Quinn says. The book, out on Tuesday February 18, details accounts from royal servants over the years.

Mr Quinn offers a fresh perspective on what life was really like inside the royal household over the decades. Insiders explained that Charles and Queen Camilla always treat their staff “well”, but that the King is prone to “little bursts of irritation”.

Charles, who has previously fumed in public over his pens not working, has very particular demands for how tasks are carried out, the dicument reveals. The monarch was said to have kicked up a fuss if he wasn’t given the “right teacup” and also had opinions on how his toothpaste was placed on his brush.

The monarch gives a speech during a dinner at Highgrove House this month ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

In an extract from Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, one servant is said to recall: “Charles and Camilla do treat their staff well, but you always feel that they would no more fly without an aeroplane than invite you to have tea with them.

“And Charles does have little bursts of irritation with his staff – perhaps he hasn’t been given exactly the right teacup, perfectly polished shoes and toothpaste neatly squeezed on to his toothbrush in exactly the way he likes it. He loses his temper in a split second but usually quickly regrets it.”

In 2022, Charles vented his frustration at a leaky pen while signing the visitors book at Hillsborough Castle – telling courtiers he “can’t bear this bloody thing”. Just a few days earlier, the King furiously motioned for an aide to move an ink pot as he signed documents when he was proclaimed the new King.

And last year a frustrated King Charles moaned “we can never be on time” as he waited in coach outside Westminster Abbey ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed.