Inside the Royal Life of Prince Charles

From day one, Prince Charles was a man of firsts and would often break the royal mold. In November 1948, a young Princess Elizabeth gave birth to Charles, with newspapers reporting at the time that he was a “lovely boy, a really splendid baby.” Amazingly, the newborn prince was the first royal baby to be born at Buckingham Palace in the 20th century. While he didn’t have to grow up during the first or second world war, Charles would have his own battles as the years progressed…

6 February, 1952, marked a bittersweet time in the history of the British monarchy. King George VI, Charles’s grandfather, was diagnosed with coronary thrombosis and ultimately passed away. This meant two important things. Firstly, George’s daughter, Elizabeth, immediately became the Queen of England. Subsequentially, at just three years and three months of age, Charles was now the first in line for the throne. This would begin one of the longest periods that any royal has had as heir…

As the years went on, Charles was given and more and more titles. However, one of his most important titles came in July 1958, when his mother Queen Elizabeth II named him Charles Prince of Wales. It made sense, seeing that the nine-year-old was a male heir to the throne. Over a decade later, Charles was officially crowned as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle. Despite his royal duties building up, Prince Charles was still determined to have some sort of normality in his life…

As he grew into his adolescence, Prince Charles continued to break royal norms, determined to have some sort of “normal” life, whatever that might mean. In October 1967, he became the very first royal heir to attend university. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge until finally graduating in 1970 with a 2:2 in anthropology, archaeology, and history. Many casual fans wondered why a member of the British royal family wasn’t able to graduate with a first. Some speculate that it was for the following reason…

While Prince Charles’s personal life spiraled out of control later on in life, it seems like the royal family was unforgiving towards him long before he ever tied the knot with anyone. Relatives portrayed him as a bit of a rebel, with some members of the family telling the press that he was something of a “ladies’ man.” However, Charles was quick to deny such claims and was deeply hurt by such accusations. While future relationships didn’t help his case, Charles has since spoken up…

1971 was the year when Prince Charles’s personal life started to take some significant twists and turns. It was the year that he first met Camilla Shand and it wouldn’t take long before the two started dating. By all accounts, it seemed like a match made in heaven. However, the couple ended up breaking things off when Camilla started to see Andrew Parker Bowles. They tied the knot in 1973 and Charles was back to square one. He turned his attentions elsewhere…

Around the same time that Prince Charles was entangled with Camilla, he started a six-month training program as a jet pilot with the Royal Air Force. With time, the young prince moved on to the Royal Navy, where he would serve on a number of ships and even train as a helicopter pilot. During the last ten months of his service in the navy, Charles took command of the HMS Bronington. Many years later, his flying days would come to an end after crashing a BAe 146 in the Hebrides.

In 1976, Charles put his navy days behind him and started to map out what he was going to do next with his life. Shortly after his service came to an end, the Prince of Wales used the $8000 he accumulated from his military pension to establish The Prince’s Trust. This charity aims to help young people who are struggling. The Prince’s Trust was the first of over 25 charities that Prince Charles has either established or had a part to play in over the years.

It is common knowledge that Prince Charles was once married to the late Princess Diana. However, many aren’t aware that the Prince of Wales reportedly dated her older sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, despite already meeting her sister. In 1977, it is believed that the two saw each other for about nine months. However, the relationship didn’t last and this was in part due to an embarrassing interview Sarah gave about Charles. She allegedly claimed that she wouldn’t marry him “if he were the dustman or the King of England.”

As previously mentioned, Charles had already met Diana Spencer in 1977. However, it wasn’t until 1980 that the Prince of Wales would consider dating her. According to biographer Jonathan Dimbleby, Diana had been supportive of Charles after he lost his uncle Lord Mountbatten. “Without any apparent surge in feeling, he began to think seriously of her as a potential bride”, he wrote. As the media was skeptical about whether or not Charles actually had feelings for Diana, Prince Phillip pressured Charles into making a decision about their future, sooner rather than later…

When Prince Charles did propose to Diana, it was right before she embarked on a trip to Australia. He wanted to give her that time away to think about this big decision – one that would come with so many changes to her everyday life, for the rest of her life. But she surprised him, and the world, by saying “yes” right away. In 1981, their engagement was announced; he was 31, she 19. But when asked if they are in love, his reply was, “Whatever ‘in love’ means.”

His answer concerned many people, including both Diana and the reporter present. Those close to him explained that it had to do with the pressure put on him to pick a “smart match” to both spend his life with and bring into the Royal family, rather than a mere reflection of his love. But even today, many believe it was foreshadowing of what was to come. Nonetheless, the couple was married at St Paul’s cathedral on the 29th of July, 1981.

One of the many priorities of the Royal family is to have many little Royal children, so it wasn’t long before the new couple became new parents as well. By June 21st of 1982, just a year later, Charles and Diana welcome Prince William of Wales into the family. The early years of their marriage saw more good times, and their first child was followed by a second: Prince Harry, born on September 15th, 1984. But it wasn’t long before difficulties in their relationship became apparent.

Whether it was merely clashing personalities or their 13-year age difference, the world may never know. But just five years after their marriage, the relationship was in jeopardy. Diana, for one, had barely entered the most formative years of her life; years when the average person changes drastically, and quickly. Years later, a video surfaced of Diana saying on record that she had been “deeply in love” with someone who worked close to the family by 1986.

Coincidentally – or not – royal family policeman Barry Mannakee was transferred that year to another position (the Diplomatic Protection Squad) that would keep him farther away from Diana. It was that very same year when Charles reunited with an old flame: Camilla Parker Bowles. They had briefly dated before his relationship with Diana began, but in order to pursue Diana with commitment, he cut off contact with her. When asked in the years to come what sparked their reconnection, Prince Charles admitted that his marriage was all but broken by that time.

Meanwhile, Diana seemed more interested in protecting her own heart than protecting her reputation. It seemed like no secret to her that the Prince’s rekindled friendship with his old flame Camilla was far from just friendly. A transcript from a conversation between her and her horseback riding teacher, James Gilbey, occurred around the same time that was only released years later in 1992; when Charles and Diana were still married, but far from together. In it, Gilbey professes his love to Diana and calls her by a pet name, “Squidgy,” 53 times – which gave their scandal the nickname, “Squidgygate.”

Shortly following Diana’s leaked phone call, another transcript was leaked – this time, of a conversation between Prince Charles and his “friend” Camilla, who herself was unhappily married. Rumors had already been widely circulating, but this conversation was proof enough for the masses. One particularly convincing point was a comment Charles made to Camilla about turning into a tampon. Well, it’s no surprise that he and Diana announced their separation just a few months later.

In the years to come, author Jonathan Dimbleby was given full access to the Prince along with his papers and diaries while working on a book about him, which was finally published in the 1994 publication The Prince of Wales. In it, details are revealed of the Prince’s infidelity, along with personal accounts that present Diana as mentally unstable. Either way, the strains of their relationship became much clearer to the public. In Charles’ own words, he was “faithful and honorable” during the marriage, “until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried.”

It was only a matter of time before Princess Diana was given a voice in this, or perhaps gave herself one. On November 20th of 1995, Diana hosted Panorama for an interview in which she blamed Bowles for the demise of her own relationship with Prince Charles, describing her marriage as ‘crowded’. “Well there were three of us in this marriage so it was a bit crowded,” she said very publicly to the 23 million people who watched the program.

Although they’d been separated for years, the widespread knowledge of the state of their relationship led Prince Charles and Princess Diana to take the next step in separating, and make their divorce official. In 1996 it was finalized. It was the first time in history that an heir apparent and descendent to the throne was allowed to divorce, which would be followed by another major first: his permission to remarry, and even more shockingly, to another divorcee.

Their English subjects were bewildered, to say the least. Three consecutively broken rules left them asking, do the rules actually matter anymore? But before long, their concerns over time and tradition were put aside by a tragedy no one saw coming that shook not only England but the entire world: just one year after their divorce, Princess Diana was killed in a car crash while in Paris on the 31st of August, 1997. Despite their differences and separation, this would be very bad news for Prince Charles.

On top of its widespread sadness and a resurgence of affection for the young Princess, the public turned a critical eye to Prince Charles. Many suspected his involvement in the tragedy which took her life, and villainized him for it. For a while, he kept a low profile – especially keeping his budding romance with Camilla out of the spotlight, even though everyone knew they were together. But in time, he decided it was finally time to begin living his truth transparently. In 1999 he made his first public appearance with Camilla at a party at the Ritz.

To say that the Queen approved of their relationship would be a far cry from the truth, but she did not ultimately get in the way of Charles and Camilla’s love. The couple spent years enjoying their relationship despite many odds against them, and took their time getting to the altar, even though she had been part of his intimate life and family for some time. On April 9th, 2005, 30 years after their acquaintance was made, Prince Charles and Camilla were officially married at a register office in Windsor. Prince Harry later said, “We are very grateful for her. She’s made our father very happy.”

There’s no denying that Prince Charles’ relationship with the media hasn’t always been smooth sailing. During a gathering at St. Bride’s Fleet Street in 2002, the Royal member noted that at times, the press has been “awkward, cantankerous, cynical, at times intrusive, at times inaccurate, and at times deeply unfair and harmful to individuals and to institutions.” Still, Prince Charles also made a reasonable point in addressing the fact that “from time to time, we are probably both a bit hard on each other, exaggerating the downsides and ignoring the good points in each.”

Not only is Charles a reasonable guy but he’s also one with the Earth. In fact, he’s been promoting environmental awareness since the ’80s and has even received an award from the Harvard Medical School for his work in the natural world. With that being said, it makes sense as to why Charles enjoys the occasional conversation with nature. During an interview with BBC, the Royal member admitted that “I happily talk to the plants and trees, and listen to them. I think it’s absolutely crucial.” Despite the backlash his comments received, Charles still stands by them.

Believe it or not, Prince Charles is a man of many talents. As a child, Charles learned how to play the piano, trumpet, and cello. In the end, Charles stuck with cello and would go on to play in the Trinity College Orchestra during his undergraduate years. Aside from music, Prince Charles writes books and even paints! In fact, Charles is an honorary member of the Royal Watercolor Society and the Royal Academy. Using watercolors, the Prince pulls inspiration for his art from nature and scenery.

There’s no doubt that Prince Charles and Princess Diana had a rocky marriage from the very beginning. Now, with rumors flying around that Prince William had cheated on Kate with their friend — Rose Hanbury — Royal fans fear that history will repeat itself with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Though the post has since been deleted, speculations intensified when British food writer and TV presenter Giles Coren clarified via Twitter that “Yes. It is an affair.” Whether or not these claims are true, one thing’s for sure — William and Kate have a ton of support in their corner!

Let’s be real here, people — becoming a parent or grandparent is a magical experience. We’re sure Prince Charles would agree considering that his grandchildren are the apple of his eye. In July of 2013, at the age of 64, Charles became a grandfather for the first time when Prince George was born. Although Charles himself admits that keeping up with his grandchildren “wear me out,” there’s absolutely no doubt that they have him wrapped around their tiny fingers. Take this photo, for instance. Charles looks like he’s having the time of his life while Prince Louis grabs onto his face.

We think it’s safe to say that Prince Charles was completely on board and supportive of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the very beginning of their relationship. Not only did Charles walk Meghan down the aisle on her wedding day — as her own father couldn’t be there — but he also helped the newlyweds “soldier on” during their first year of marriage despite the controversy and gossip that surrounded them as Royals. With all of this being said, it’s clear that Prince Charles shares a close relationship with his sons as well as his daughters-in-law.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines after issuing a statement that as of March 31st, they will officially transition out of their roles as “senior members” of Britain’s Royal family. Although Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement stating that she and her family “are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” Charles is reportedly “livid” about his son and daughter-in-law’s announcement. He also allegedly blames Meghan for pushing Harry to leave the Royal spotlight. While Harry and Meghan received a $6 million yearly stipend from Charles prior to their exit, sources say that the Prince of Wales is still mulling over how much he’ll give the couple now that they’re stepping down.

Throughout history, the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her heir has been a subject of much debate. The fact that the Queen’s official royal duties began while Charles was still quite young has led to suggestions that Charles may have not formed as strong a bond with his mother as he had with nannies and especially his beloved grandmother. According to Charles himself, it was “inevitably the nursery staff” and his grandmother who taught him to play, witnessed his first steps, and disciplined him. During an emotional tribute at the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002, Charles explained that “she meant everything and I had dreaded this moment along with, I know, countless others… I adored her.”

For those that don’t know, there have been rumors circulating online and in tabloids that Queen Elizabeth wants to disregard the line of succession and make Prince William along with Kate Middleton the next King and Queen of England, instead of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. While we can admit that Prince Charles has caused quite a bit of controversy over the years, this speculation just isn’t true. Even if Queen Elizabeth wanted to change her successor, she doesn’t actually have the power to do that. Aside from that fact, Prince Charles is simply the most qualified Royal member to become King.

Amid the spread of Covid-19 in 2020, Prince Charles found it difficult to avoid shaking hands when greeting people at the Prince’s Trust Awards held at the London Palladium. Upon stepping on the red carpet, Charles extended his hand to Sir Kenneth Olisa — the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London — before remembering the precautions in place to limit the spread of germs. When he realized, he quickly retracted his hand only to place his palms together in the Hindu greeting “Namaste” instead and he continued to greet each person in that manner for the remainder of the event.

It turns out that Charles’ method to greet people with a “Namaste” didn’t work out as planned. On March 18th, Charles’ office at Clarence House issued a statement announcing that Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now in self-isolation. He began showing symptoms over the weekend and was tested shortly after. Charles is currently staying at his Scottish residence on the Queen’s Balmoral estate with a small number of staff keeping separate from him. According to a source, the Prince is only displaying mild symptoms and is otherwise in good health.

We’re not exactly sure where the Prince of Wales caught the virus from. According to the statement his office made, “it is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks.” Following a public event that he attended on March 12th, Prince Charles has had a number of private meetings with individuals, all of whom have been made aware of the situation.