Prince Charles has always been a forward thinker, working out his points of view and desired outcomes and then sticking to them, regardless of what his family, critics or the public say.
“He looks at everything in terms of years and decades,” says an aide. “He always has. Once he’s made his mind up on something, he’s immovable. He says, ‘They’ll come round, they’ll agree with me one day.’
“By and large, that’s true – most opponents eventually support him.”
Or as Charles (71) himself puts it, “I’ve gone on regardless of the endless criticism and carping and shouting and screaming, because I’ve always believed in the long term.”
No matter if it’s ecology, climate change, organic farming, architecture, the structure of the economy or the future of the royal family, the Prince of Wales has always aimed to be ahead of the curve.
Take the Duchess of Cornwall. It was always Charles’ intention to marry Camilla (72), and he put in motion a carefully designed plan to soften public opinion, which had turned against her after Diana, Princess of Wales’ revelation that “there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded”.
In July 1997, 11 months after he and Diana divorced, Charles arranged a 50th birthday party for Camilla at his country home. Her chauffeur was briefed to drive at near-walking pace as he arrived at the gates, to ensure waiting photographers could get clear shots.
It worked. “She swept into Highgrove with all the confidence of a Queen,” one paper reported. Charles let it be known that she was “non-negotiable” and the party was her “coming out”.
Then disaster struck. Diana died in a car crash in Paris six weeks later and Camilla instantly became “the most hated woman in Britain”, as another paper put it.
This story is from the February 17 2020 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 17 2020 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mamma's milk bar WENDY'S HERBAL HELPER
When she had trouble breastfeeding, she found a solution that's got mums pumped
IVF egg-swap babies 'IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!'
In a bid for a deeper connection, the loving couple carried each other's baby and sometimes feed the other one's bub too!
Ahoy there, Verity! THE PIRATE OF GARNET STATION
The local legend's making a swashbuckling return to the stage
Take Two & add a farm! HOW DANIELLE FOUND HER BLISS
The Kiwi author's country crush is contagious and has led to some bestsellers
Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'
Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways
Bonnie's next chapter 'QUEEN CAMILLA MADE ME CONFESS!'
The bestselling author's next project is top secret... to everyone but Her Majesty
Davida and the Dames OUR MOTHER'S DAY MAGIC
It's a special celebration for Miranda Harcourt and her daughter - their beloved matriach Kate is back on her feet
NO GOING BACK
Harry's preserving his dignity after having to move out of home
Carole's a real queen! WILLIAM'S GO-TO IN A CRISIS
The heir and his mother-in-law have become firm friends as they care for Kate and the kids
It takes a village HEATHER'S MOTHERHOOD SECRETS
She may have lost herself a little, but the radio star's embracing life with Iggy