King Charles to take on second job as Uber driver to help with cost of living crisis

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III has taken on a part-time role as an Uber driver in a bid to “stay connected with the people” and better understand the financial struggles facing millions of Britons. The move comes as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, with even the wealthiest of households — presumably including those with gold-plated pianos — feeling the squeeze.

A Palace spokesperson stated that His Majesty’s initiative is intended to set an example of resilience and adaptability. “The King believes it is important to experience firsthand the challenges his subjects are facing,” the statement read. “By taking on a second job, His Majesty hopes to highlight the struggles of ordinary people while also demonstrating the value of hard work, even if one happens to reside in a 775-room palace.”

Reports suggest the King has already completed several trips around London and Windsor in a specially modified Range Rover, complete with plush interiors, complimentary Earl Grey tea, and a built-in throne function in the passenger seat. Some passengers, initially sceptical, have described their surprise at realising they were being chauffeured by the monarch himself.

“I thought it was a joke at first,” said Tim, a marketing executive from Clapham. “But then he asked if I wanted the air conditioning on and started discussing the importance of biodiversity in rural hedgerows. That’s when I realised it was really him.”

The Uber app has reportedly been adapted to reflect the royal connection, with a new rating system encouraging passengers to leave feedback based on the number of royal waves they receive during their journey. Additionally, those lucky enough to ride with His Majesty can opt for a ‘Speech and Carriage’ setting, where he delivers a heartfelt message about duty and sustainability before merging onto the M25.

Despite initial concerns that the King’s new venture might interfere with his royal duties, the Palace has reassured the public that official engagements remain the priority. However, minor scheduling conflicts have already arisen. Last week, a diplomatic event with the French ambassador was delayed when Charles took an impromptu detour to drop off a student at Heathrow.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla is said to be considering a role with Deliveroo, though a Palace spokesperson dismissed speculation that she had been spotted weaving through traffic on a bicycle with a takeaway bag strapped to her back. “Her Majesty remains committed to supporting her husband’s endeavours, but she has no current plans to join the gig economy,” the statement confirmed.

As the King’s moonlighting continues to attract public attention, industry insiders are already speculating on potential future developments. While Uber has declined to comment on whether they will introduce a ‘Royal Ride’ tier, rumours suggest that for a modest surcharge, passengers may soon be treated to a corgi as a backseat companion — though early testers have reported that the corgis, while charming, do tend to bark aggressively at roundabouts.

The initiative appears to be a success, but whether or not the monarch’s new venture will truly bridge the gap between the Palace and the people remains to be seen — but for now, commuters can take comfort in the fact that, at least for the duration of their trip, they’re being driven around by the only Uber driver in Britain who has his face on the coins they use to pay him.