King Charles once rescued a staff member by ordering axe-wielding servants to break down a locked door - all while wearing his dressing gown

A former employee of the King's revealed a bizarrely heroic story that saw the monarch save him from sleeping on a bathroom floor all night

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales waves as he attends the Royal Cornwall Show on June 07, 2018
(Image credit: Getty Images)

King Charles's heroic act while wearing a dressing gown has been revealed by a former politician who recounted this bizarre but sweet story on a podcast.

As children, Prince William and Prince Harry were given only the best when it came to their education, which is why throughout their childhood there were often tutors who stayed with them at Highgrove House throughout the holidays. In a bizarre turn of events, former Cabinet Minister Rory Stewart, who was the  Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation, used to be a tutor for the Princes when he was just 19-years-old. 

The former politician revealed that during his time working with the royals, he had a rather humourous run-in with the now-King who rescued him from a rather tricky predicament late at night.

King Charles III attends the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Speaking on Gyles Brandreth's podcast, Rosebud, Rory revealed that he got stuck in a bathroom and had to be rescued by King Charles who ordered servants with axes to break down the bathroom door.

"My first recollection of that is that I managed to lock myself in his bathroom without realising that the bathroom door was an anti-terrorist steel door," began Rory.

Revealing that the King's eco-friendly attitudes aren't simply surface-level, the former tutor revealed that the King knocked on the bathroom door and asked him to make sure he switched off the bathroom light before heading to bed. "And so the Prince of Wales, at about 11.30 at night, knocks on the door and says 'would you mind turning out the light out before you go to sleep?' And I say 'Sir, I've locked myself in the bathroom'."

British Royals Prince Harry, Prince William, and Charles, Prince of Wales, attend the parade commemorating VJ Day

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Our King: Charles III: The Man and the Monarch Revealed by Robert Jobson | £9.03 at Amazon
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Our King: Charles III: The Man and the Monarch Revealed by Robert Jobson | £9.03 at Amazon

Royal author Robert Jobson reflects upon King Charles's life and considers his motivations, driving passions and how his values will go on to influence his reign.

He revealed that this predicament didn't go down too well with the King and instead offered to sleep on the cold bathroom floor that night and wait until morning for help. "He says 'don't be ridiculous, you're not suggesting I wake up the whole house at this time in the morning to knock down the door'. And I say 'no, no, it's fine, I'll just spend the night sleeping on the floor'," said Rory.

Despite the cold reaction, Charles leapt into action to help the tutor and commanded servants to knock the door down and free him.

"Half an hour later, there he is in his dressing gown commanding men with axes," he recalled.

Rory Stewart arrives at Millbank studios on October 4, 2019 in London, England.

Rory Stewart in 2019

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory reflected that he actually had a very lovely time with the young royals and said, "It was a very special experience of my life."

He added, "I was very happy to have done it."

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.