King Charles III once edited a journalist's commentary piece and replaced the phrase “royal power” with a single word, in a move that royal author Robert Jobson says reveals the monarch’s true priorities.The anecdote has resurfaced as the King continues cancer treatment while facing renewed scrutiny over the conduct of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, placing fresh focus on how he defines his role at the helm of the monarchy.

Jobson, a veteran royal correspondent who has covered the Royal Family for decades, recalled the exchange from years earlier when one of his opinion pieces unexpectedly found its way into Charles’s hands during a flight. Speaking on The Sun's Royal Confidential podcast, the royal biographer said: “[The King] He's a decent man, and he's a good man, you know, I want to stress both of those points. I think that if you saw the film Harmony, ironically they had the premiere of when all this stuff started to drop, that's what he wants his legacy to be. And, you know, it seems you shouldn't necessarily judge the man by his brother.”

The documentary Harmony, released this year and narrated by Kate Winslet, explored Charles’s environmental philosophy and long-standing campaigning on sustainability — causes he had championed decades before they became mainstream.

But it was the marked-up commentary that left the clearest impression on Jobson.

“But I remember having an exchange with the King many years ago. I did a commentary piece, and somehow that commentary piece—while we were on a plane—I got him to read it. It came back with all scrawls on it, and the person then showed it to me. The one thing that I had written—‘power, royal power,’ and things like that— that was all scribbled out, and the word ‘leadership’ was written in. Leadership—that's what he was stressing.”

For Jobson, the change was more than stylistic. It reflected how Charles views the modern monarchy — not as an institution defined by authority, but by example and responsibility.

Jobson’s reflections on Charles’ editorial hand come amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Multiple UK police forces are now reviewing information contained in the three million pages of documents released last month by the US Department of Justice, detailing Epstein’s extensive network.

Essex Police confirmed it is assessing information about private flights to and from Stansted Airport. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the documents showed in “graphic detail” how Epstein allegedly used the airport to transport girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. Stansted Airport has stated it does not manage or have visibility over passenger arrangements on privately-operated aircraft.

Surrey Police are examining an allegation within a 2020 FBI report relating to a child abuse claim involving Andrew and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Norfolk and Bedfordshire police are also reviewing material, while the National Police Chiefs’ Council has formed a national group to support forces assessing allegations.

Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are looking into claims Andrew shared confidential trade envoy reports with Epstein. Andrew has denied wrongdoing over his Epstein links but has not directly addressed the latest allegations.

Against that backdrop, Jobson said the pressure on the King is considerable: “I suggest that, unfortunately, this is a man who is courageously fighting cancer. He is doing his very best to achieve what he can for the country, and I think he does a sterling job.

“But now, at this time, when he needs that strength, his other son is on the other side of the Atlantic, and his brother has behaved this way. He needs the strength and support of his son William, which I think he's got, but he needs to show that leadership. Unfortunately, that's really tough on him. But that's what it comes down to.”