India Hicks has opened up on the deeply important life lessons her mother taught her and the impact they have had on her work for King Charles.

She is still processing the loss of Lady Pamela Hicks, who died in June aged 97 after suffering a fall and hip fracture.

Lady Pamela had served as both bridesmaid and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II.

While India Hicks accepts there is no tragedy in losing a parent who enjoyed such a remarkably long life, the grief remains raw.

"I know I was born under an incredibly lucky star," she says, before recalling her mother's guiding principle.

"But my mother always said, 'To whom much is given, much is expected.' I was brought up to work for this life, so try to do that."

That philosophy of obligation underpins Hicks's considerable charitable work.

She serves as patron of the King's Trust, which was founded by King Charles III, who is both her second cousin and her godfather, during his time as Prince of Wales.

That familial connection lends an additional layer of personal investment to her involvement with the Trust's milestone celebrations.

India Hicks also sits on the board of directors at Global Empowerment Mission, the humanitarian aid organisation.

She describes her commitment to these causes as a natural extension of the values she inherited.

Rather than viewing her fortunate circumstances as something to simply enjoy, she regards them as carrying an expectation to contribute meaningfully.

Her role as chair of the King's Trust's 50th anniversary committee stands as a particular point of pride.

Under her leadership, the committee surpassed every fundraising target it had set, a significant achievement for an organisation that holds deep personal meaning for India Hicks.

India Hicks's royal connections stretch back to childhood. She was just 13 when she served as a bridesmaid at King Charles's first wedding to Lady Diana Spencer, and she has attended numerous royal occasions since.

When asked which moments during her time with the Royal Family stand out most vividly, India Hicks mentions one alongside her mother.

It was the fragrance of public floral tributes arranged outside St George's Chapel at Windsor during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

She said: "As my mother and I descended the coach that took us from the Westminster Abbey service to Windsor, we were both hit by the most extraordinary smell of the floral tributes. It's something I will never forget."