Prince Charles’ candid interview about becoming King: “There are so many things that need to be done”
A new feature story has given a fascinating insight into Prince Charles, the man who will be the King of England, and his wife Duchess Camilla.
Journalist James Reginato has spoken to a number of royal insiders including the 69-year-old Prince’s close friends and colleagues, and the heir to the throne himself for a new Vanity Fair story.
The Duke of Cornwall, who turns 70 this month, told the journalist that “there are so many things that need to be done,” reports now to love. Interviewees lift the veil on his relationship with Duchess Camilla, who he married in 2005.
One royal correspondent said, "She's made a massive difference in him,” and that they have "great affection and humour between them.”
Royal photographer Alexi Lubomirski described the couple’s chemistry at a photo shoot at Clarence House saying, "As soon as they looked at each other, there was a sparkle in their eyes – that's when the magic happened."
Lubomirski added, "You feel like they are a young couple in love."
There are still questions about exactly what title Duchess Camilla will have when Prince Charles assumes the throne, with some reports saying it will be 'Queen Consort'. A royal insider told the magazine that the Duchess of Cornwall has the right disposition to be Queen as she "never complains", and "there's nothing lightweight about her. She's not a bullsh**ter and she doesn't take any bulls**t".
"She knows that he is the boss, the star,” her nephew, Ben Elliot, said of his aunt when her husband takes the throne.
“She does everything she can possibly do to support him. At the same time, he's very proud of her. She's very sharp and perceptive."
The feature story also looks at the future monarch’s charitable efforts, such as The Prince’s Trust which has assisted more than 870,000 disadvantaged find employment and receive job training. The former CEO of Prince Charles’ charities, Dame Julia Cleverdon, told Vanity Fair that her former boss is "a great connector – the ultimate networker".
"He creatively swipes ideas from all over the world,” she said. “Then he'll say, for example, 'Why hasn't this one been implemented in Dorset?'"
The Prince’s conservation efforts are also explored in the feature, in which he told journalist Reginato that one of his duties was to “find solutions to the vast challenges we face over accelerating climate change".
"If we don't engage with these issues, and many other related and critical problems that they inevitably compound, we will all be the victims,” he said. “Nothing escapes."
The story also confirmed the already reported fondness the Prince has for his new daughter-in-law Duchess Meghan.
"They clearly really like each other,” said a close family friend. “There is real warmth and support. Camilla has been very helpful to Meghan.”