As of Christmas Day, it was clear that Charles has settled on an answer.
While the television address was accompanied by pictures and footage showing only the faces of his working team, the public Sandringham outing welcomed all and sundry.
Even Sarah, Duchess of York – absent from the Sandringham walkabout since 1992 – was in the spotlight, visibly thrilled to be back.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall arrive to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.Credit: AP
Sweetest of all was nine-year-old Mia Tindall, who held Prince Louis’ hand and helped the Wales family with their piles of flowers and presents in an unselfconscious display of cousinly love.
They looked to be fresh from a cosy Christmas morning, many wearing matching scarfs from Highgrove and the King’s Foundation.
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In one sense, it was the family back to doing what they have always done best, in a model perfected by the late Queen.
But the absence of personal family photographs from the King’s speech, in favour of images tightly edited to the family on-the-job, spoke volumes about how he is approaching his role.
A third surprise royal story on Christmas Day also gave a modest insight into a new regime and a Wales family increasingly forging their own path side-by-side with the King.
Prince William and Princess Catherine are years into pursuing their own causes – the environment, homelessness, mental health, early years – and are easing their three young children into public life at their own pace.
That they released their own striking photograph on Christmas Day spoke to that freedom; a stylish black and white shot of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis a marked contrast with the traditional festive scenes happening live.
From left: Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George in a photograph released on Christmas Day.Credit: Josh Shinner
In years gone by, it would have been seen as unwelcome competition: multiple royal photographs and news stories on the same day competing for attention with the King’s big moment.
Instead, the King seemed as relaxed as he’s ever been, at the heart of a fun-filled family whose members put on a delighted show for the crowds.
If his first Christmas as King was as much about his mother’s absence as his presence, the watching world still grieving her and adjusting to a new face on their screens, the second put into action the Carolean era the public will come to know.
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He looked to be in his element.
The Telegraph, London