If you thought the first two episodes of this royal drama were a whirlwind, The Next Prince Ep 3 basically says "hold my crown." We’ve officially moved past the initial shock of Khanin finding out he’s not just some London fencer but the actual heir to the throne of Emmaly.
Now, the reality of the palace is setting in. And honestly? It’s kind of a mess.
Emmaly isn't just a kingdom; it’s a political tinderbox divided into five regions. You've got the Assawadewathin family (Khanin’s side) currently holding the gold industry in the North, while rival families like the Phuchongphisut and Thawichmetha are circling like sharks.
What really happened in the third episode
The emotional core of The Next Prince Ep 3 is Khanin’s grief, and NuNew Chawarin really brings the heartache here. He finds out his adoptive father, Thatdanai, is dead. Or at least, that’s what the palace wants him to believe.
His house in the UK was burned down. A body was found. The King (played by the legendary Nhing Nirut) refuses to test the DNA, which is a massive red flag. He just wants Khanin to "move on" and focus on the competition.
But Khanin isn't having it.
He’s struggling with the formality of it all. He keeps bowing to the butler—which is honestly hilarious and sweet—and he can't get the royal speech levels right. It’s a total fish-out-of-water scenario, but with much higher stakes than your average rom-com.
The "big moment" of the episode comes when Khanin decides to participate in the Royal Fencing Competition. He’s not doing it because he wants to be King. He’s doing it to investigate what actually happened to his father.
The Charan and Khanin dynamic shifts
Charan, played by Zee Pruk, is trying so hard to be the "stoic bodyguard," but he’s failing. Miserably.
The King officially fires Charan from protecting Khanin early in the episode, which forces a weird distance between them. But Khanin is stubborn. He uses his new royal authority to force Charan back into his orbit.
There’s a scene where they’re hiding from the paparazzi, and we get the classic "fake kiss" trope. It’s clearly a tactic to hide their faces, but the tension? You could cut it with one of those ceremonial swords.
Key points from the royal court:
- The King is sus: He’s clearly manipulating Khanin’s grief to ensure his family stays in power.
- Prince Ramil’s family: The Bhuchongphisut clan (the gem tycoons) are the prime suspects behind the attack in London.
- Princess Ava: She’s finally allowed to compete, breaking the "men only" tradition of the monarchy, which is a cool twist for the world-building.
That accidental live mic moment
One of the wildest parts of The Next Prince Ep 3 happens during the royal celebration. Khanin is wearing a live earpiece and mic so Charan can feed him information about the guests.
But then things get personal.
Khanin pushes Charan to admit he cares about him. Because it’s a drama, the mic is live. The whole palace—and apparently the national news—hears the exchange. It’s a massive scandal for a kingdom that’s already on edge about the succession.
The Grandpa (the King) is furious. He scolds Charan, but the damage is done. Instead of hiding the "scandal," the palace decides to lean into it for PR. This leads to that awkward, staged photoshoot where Charan looks like he’d rather be anywhere else on earth.
Why this episode matters for the rest of the season
By the end of the hour, the lines are drawn. Khanin tells Charan he’s the only one he trusts. This is a huge deal because Charan is technically lying to him on behalf of the King.
The show is setting up a massive betrayal arc. If Khanin finds out Charan helped cover up the truth about Thatdanai, it’s going to be devastating.
Also, we finally get a glimpse of the rival heirs. Prince Ramil and his aide, Paytai, have this weird, charged energy that suggests their "friendship" is just as complicated as Khanin and Charan’s.
Actionable insights for fans
If you're following the series, keep an eye on the background details. The cinematography in the palace scenes isn't just for show; the placement of the different clan leaders during the dinner scene tells you exactly who is allied with whom.
- Watch on official platforms: To support the cast and ensure we get more high-budget productions like this, watch on iQIYI or the OneD app.
- Pay attention to the rings: Each clan leader wears specific jewelry. In this episode, a certain ring seen in the London flashback reappears on a palace guest.
- Check the OST: NuNew’s new tracks for the series dropped alongside this episode, and they usually hint at the internal monologue of the characters.
The next step for any viewer is to re-watch the dinner scene. Notice how Prince Ratchata (Ramil’s dad) reacts when Khanin mentions the London attack. His "friendly" face doesn't quite reach his eyes, and it’s a masterclass in subtle villainy.