After becoming monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, King Charles has been busier than ever as he completes engagements not just across the country, but across the globe. However, he’s not the only person whose workload has changed since becoming King – Guy Ingle’s has too.
As a King Charles lookalike, 62 year old Guy has spent decades impersonating the royal. Whether it’s attending events, writing speeches or even appearing in movies, Guy’s slightly unusual job means that no two days are ever the same as OK! found out. Here, the actor and performer gives a glimpse of what life is like as a very regal lookalike…
“As I entered a building just off of Oxford Street, a floor full of visitors turned towards me in shock. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Prince Charles,” a voice announced over the speaker. “Welcome to London,” I said before being met by a flood of camera phones and requests for selfies. As a King Charles lookalike, scenes like this are a normal part of the job.
Having started out in the 80s, after initially doing impressions and hosting parties, I’ve done everything from wedding speeches to cameos in films. In 2007, I went to Los Angeles where I spent four weeks filming Superhero Movie alongside Hollywood icon Leslie Nielsen.
While I was there, I lived the A-list lifestyle. I had my own chauffeur, rode in a limousine and got free tickets for Universal Studios simply for looking like Charles. I even stayed in Leslie’s Beverly Hills apartment. It was incredible.
I’m lucky that my job has taken me all over the world. I’ve filmed adverts in locations like Japan, the United States and Spain. I even starred in a Bollywood movie and was paid over £1,000 to deliver a five-minute speech to celebrate Heathrow Airport opening Terminal 5.
But there are things I wouldn’t do, regardless of the money on offer. One time I was asked to appear in an X-rated film, much to my amusement. I laughed at the offer but politely declined. I’ve always had a great respect for the royals, so I’d never portray the King in a negative way.
Despite being in the business for over 30 years, I still get nervous before every gig because I want to do Charles justice. Being a lookalike is a lot more than just looking like someone. I have to be able to make people believe that I am the King and that requires a lot of research.
I’ve watched an endless amount of videos and I’m constantly looking at new pictures of Charles before every gig just so I can copy his body language.
The transformation
In fact, the only way that I can do his voice is by clenching my jaw and furrowing my eyebrows. As soon as I’ve done that, my body goes into autopilot and I begin mimicking the King. He tends to tuck his hands into his pockets, or use his right hand to twist the pinky finger on his left, so I’ll find myself doing that without even realising. When I’m out, I do small things like picking up glasses with my left hand because Charles is left-handed.
I have a £400 hair piece that I put on which transforms me from Guy to Charles. It’s made from real hair and takes me around 20 minutes to put on. I also do special make-up and add plenty of colour to my cheeks – after years of practice I’ve finally got it down to a tee. Doing my hair and make-up can take anything between 45 minutes to an hour.
Luckily Charles tends to stick to suits when he’s not in military uniform, meaning I don’t have to worry about buying new outfits. I’ve got a royal blue suit that I bought way back in 1986 that I still wear to most gigs. It’s so old that the shop I bought it from doesn’t even exist any more.
As soon as I’m dressed as the King, I’m instantly recognisable. Whenever I’m out, I catch people doing double takes as they see me walking past. If I’m on my way to a job in London I refuse to go on the underground because I can’t stand being stared at or having my picture secretly taken. These days, I make sure to get a taxi.
When I’m in public, people aren’t afraid of telling me how they really feel. While I am often surrounded by royalists, you always get the odd one telling me that they don’t like Charles for whatever reason, so I always expect some kind of negative reaction. It doesn’t phase me as I’ve always got a put down line, which is essential as you need to know how to handle hecklers while remaining in character. Typically I reply with a quip about them being awfully undignified.
But in my daily life, I’m just Guy from Bedford. Although at 5ft 10in I’m the same height as Charles, without my costume I look quite different from the King.
When I’m not with my family or practising playing the drums – I’m a musician at heart – you’ll find me at my local pub, the Queen’s Head. The owner, Richard, is a complete royalist, which is quite amusing as the pub is full of royal regalia and photographs. I’ll go down there for a pint of beer and within 30 seconds someone will ask if I can do some impressions for them.
‘My job comes first’
I’m in my sixties now, so sometimes I think about retiring but, following the Queen’s death, my work has really picked up. I remember watching Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral with my mum and it was bittersweet. While it was such a tragic moment that we lost a remarkable woman, it signalled a new chapter of Charles’ career, and when Charles is busy, I’m busy.
With the coronation around the corner, I’ve got something going on most days. In terms of how I’ll be celebrating the day itself, that’s still up in the air. I’d love to watch the coronation but my job comes first, so I’ll likely be working.
I wish the King all the best in his reign. Since he married Camilla, it’s clear that he’s a very happy man and she is his rock. He has the support needed to guide him through.”
For more information about Guy and his work, visit kingcharleslookalike.co.uk
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