Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prince Charles did not know what cling film was and shrieked at sight of it, claims new book

Unauthorised new biography says the 69-year-old changes his clothes up to five times a day

Maya Oppenheim
Friday 23 March 2018 17:10 EDT
Comments
The 69-year-old is said to change his clothes up to five times a day
The 69-year-old is said to change his clothes up to five times a day (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Prince Charles had no idea what cling film was and “shrieked” at the sight of it, according to an unauthorised new biography of the royal.

The book, written by investigative journalist Tom Bower, paints a portrait of a pampered and demanding man who has a penchant for quirky and luxurious habits.

Mr Bower, who has written unauthorised biographies of Richard Branson and Tony Blair, claims to have interviewed more than 120 people as part of the research for The Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles.

According to the book, the Prince of Wales was mortified by seeing cling film covering food.

After hosting a lunch at Clarence House, the Duchess of Cornwall is reported to have told staff to leave the leftovers on the sideboard. Prince Charles reportedly went searching for some dinner later on.

“He walked into the dining room and shrieked,” the book reads. “Fearing the worst, Camilla dashed in after him. ‘What’s this?’ asked her husband, pointing at the food."

"‘It’s cling film, darling,’ she replied.”

It is said to be the royal’s first exposure to the thin plastic film typically used for protecting foodstuff.

The book also claimed the Prince reportedly takes his own pre-mixed cocktails which are carried by a police officer when going to functions.

On longer journeys, such as the time he went to see a friend in north east England, he is said to have taken luxury loo roll, a toilet seat, an orthopaedic mattress and two landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

The 69-year-old is also said to change his clothes up to five times a day.

“This book is the story of Prince Charles’s battle for rehabilitation after Diana’s death, and his refusal to obey the public’s expectations of a future king,” the author writes in his preface.

Clarence House has said it will not respond to the book.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in