Platinum moments of a birthday King
As Charles celebrates his 75th this week, we take a look at his defining actions
Happy birthday to King Charles! As he celebrates his 75th on Tuesday, to mark his platinum milestone, Kerry took a look at the defining moments of the monarch for The Sunday Telegraph, this week. Here’s an extract:
He was the first heir to go to school: Aged eight, he was packed off to Cheam boarding school, where he was desperately homesick, followed by Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland. He later described the tough environment as a “hell hole” and like a “prison sentence”. He did have one happy school experience – in Australia. In 1966, Charles enrolled in Geelong Grammar School’s Timbertop campus in Victoria for two terms and later said despite being, “bloody well bushed” by the activities, “I loved it all.”
He learnt Welsh: Before 20-year-old Prince Charles became the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969, he attended Aberystwyth University for a term in order to learn Welsh. He delivered his speech in Welsh, so passionately, it raised eyebrows with the British government. “No-one could fail to be stirred by its atmosphere of time-worn grandeur,” he said, nor, “unaware of the long history of Wales in its determination to remain individual and to guard its own particular heritage.”
…and French: Similarly, Charles delivered a speech in French on his first State Visit to France in September. The late Queen was a fluent French speaker and beloved by the nation, so the new King would not want to be unfavourably compared to his mother. The first British royal to address French parliamentarians in the Senate Chamber, he received a standing ovation.
He formed his own opinions: Having studied at Cambridge University, Charles spent his lifetime reading and researching and hasn’t been afraid to form his own opinions. This has never been as pertinent as it is today. “Do we pause, instinctively and unerringly, before speaking or acting to ensure we are affording equal weight to both sides of the balance? Our society would be a kinder and gentler place for it,” he said in a speech in London in October.
He was right about the environment: In 1970, aged 21, he first made a speech about plastic waste in oceans, which was ridiculed at the time. And in his Cop 26 speech in 2021, he said, “Time has quite literally run out.”
…and organic farming: In a speech last year, Charles said he was initially thought an idiot for farming organically. “One of the reasons I went organic 40 years ago was because I felt there was an overuse of antibiotics. And I felt that if you overdo it, you end up with resistance. Anyway, that’s happened. I was told I was a complete idiot for even suggesting going organic,” he said.
He has a sense of humour: From breakdancing to pretending to be a Dalek and getting the giggles at official events, Charles – like his mother – enjoys a laugh. The only thing he doesn’t find funny is when his “bloody pens” don’t work. “Our ability to laugh at ourselves is one of our great national characteristics. Just as well, you may say, given some of the vicissitudes I have faced with frustratingly failing fountain pens this past year,” he said in his speech at Mansion House last month.
He stood by the woman he loves: Whilst his relationship with Camilla was deeply unpopular in the 1990s, the distance of time has changed public opinion, even if it hasn’t Harry’s, who dubbed her “dangerous” in Spare. But Charles’ enduring love for Camilla, who he should have married in the first place, has shown his loyalty to the woman he loves, now his soulmate and workmate.
William wows in Singapore
It was a star-studded night at the third Earthshot Prize Awards, where supporters and finalists of William’s game-changing and (potentially) world-saving initiative came together to cheer, along with the rest of Singapore.
With Catherine staying home this year, the glamour quota was left to the A-listers walking the green carpet. Everyone got the recycled, upcycled or sustainably sourced dress code memo, with Cate Blanchett in Stella McCartney and co-host Hannah Waddingham wearing a Suzanne Neville dress. William wore his go-to favourite, a green velvet Alexander McQueen dinner jacket.
Speaking to the 1,000-strong audience, William said, “the effects of the climate crisis have become too visible to be ignored.” Also adding, “I choose to believe that future generations will look back on this decade as the point at which we globally took collective action for our planet. The moment we refused to accept the voices of denial and defeatism, and instead, became the architects of change towards a healthy and sustainable world.”
When William founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020, he did so as a 10-year mission. The annual awards give five £1 million prizes. The 2023 winners are:
* Acción Andina: an initiative that has to date planted more than 6.5 million trees in the Andes region.
* GRST: building and recycling lithium-ion batteries, making electric cars more environmentally friendly.
* WildAid: helping to end illegal fishing and strengthen ocean conservation.
* S4S Technologies: creating solar-powered dryers and processing equipment combatting food waste.
* Boomitra: removing emissions and boosting farmer profits through a verified carbon-credit marketplace.
Kate goes Tank Girl
While William was in Singapore, the Princess of Wales headed to Norfolk for a day with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, as their Colonel-in-Chief.
Catherine popped on military gear and took command of Jackal 2, a seven-tonne armoured vehicle complete with machine gun, and was clearly enjoying herself, she even had a go at flying a drone. She was also presented with the Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch, made in 1959 for the Queen Mother, who also served as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.
But our favourite moment of the day came when Catherine promoted the regimental mascot, Bay Welsh Mountain pony, Trooper “Longface” Emrys Jones, from Lance Corporal to Corporal.
Louis, Prince of Pop
Bet Louis was pretty miffed he missed his dad’s Earthshot Prize Awards because one of his favourite bands, OneRepublic, opened the night for William in Singapore. Thanking the US band backstage, the Prince of Wales said: “Louis, my youngest, loves your songs.” Back in May, William confessed George is more an old-fashioned headbanger: big fan of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, apparently.
Lest we forget
This morning will see the Royal Family paying their respects to the fallen at the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall. The Remembrance Day Service is one that Queen Elizabeth II held sacrosanct in her royal duties, and sadly the final time we saw her at this event was Sunday 8 November 2020. The late Queen viewed the Service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building.
“May the memory of their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always.”