A new biography reveals that Prince Charles feels guilty about Lady Diana's death and that he once wanted to break off the marriage with her.
He is a man in whom the ghosts divorce: some appreciate him, because he is smart and is committed to socially explosive issues, the others hate him for having brought his young, beautiful, beautiful wife Diana (+ 36) many years cheated on his longtime lover Camilla Parker Bowles (67).
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- A new biography reveals more
- Despite all possibilities, Prince Charles does not have an easy life
- How will Charles be king?
- Can Prince Charles still become king?
But who is this Prince Charles really, who, at the age of 66, has long been retired but is still waiting for his real job? Who plays in public always on his golden cufflinks and it seems incredibly embarrassed? And who was allowed to marry his great love Camilla only after 35 years?
A new biography reveals more
The US journalist Catherine Mayer wanted to know and researched for her book " Charles - The Heart of a King " in the environment of the prince. By her own admission she got access to his closest associates and confidants.
She has found out a lot of surprising and human things about the future king.
What particularly touches on this is probably the fact that Prince Charles has lived with extreme guilt feelings for years, as Catherine Mayer writes. "I feel guilty because I brought Diana into a life that was not hers, " he is said to have said.
In fact, on the night before the wedding on July 29, 1981, he wanted to blow everything off: after five months of engagement, Charles realized that the shy kindergarten teacher Lady Diana Spencer was not the "cute country girl" she pretended to be, but a very complicated, unfortunate woman, who already suffered from bad eating disorders, writes Mayer. In addition, since the early '70s, his heart beat only Camilla Parker Bowles, who also had to marry another.
The prince sensed that his marriage would lead to disaster for all concerned, and said a few hours before the wedding desperately to a confidant: "I can not do that, I just can not." But it was too late. After all, the whole world was waiting for the yes-word of Charles and Diana.
To this day, he can not let go of this failure. He often pours his heart out to his close friend, actress Emma Thompson, "We talk a lot about guilt, and sometimes I think he's being blamed, " she says.
Despite all possibilities, Prince Charles does not have an easy life
His personality is marked by great uncertainty. A circumstance that is due to his privileged background. From childhood on, the Queen's son (88) is surrounded by Ja-Sagerners, who always applaud everything he does. "As a result, he sneers at sincere praise for being truly serious, but real criticism can make him desperate, " writes the biographer.
He is profound and very passionate when it comes to topics that matter to him, such as agriculture, architecture and environmental protection. That's why Charles is sometimes considered quirky.
When he had his beloved Aston Martin remodeled to drive on biofuel, vintage fans shook their heads indignantly. In his garden in Highgrove House the flowers thrive especially well because he speaks to them. And food, which is not eaten, he can wrap up - for the next day.
How will Charles be king?
Charles has a lot in mind for his future as king. He does not want to reign as distantly as his mother. He wants to get involved, also politically. Many see this with discomfort and look worried into the future. Sure, Charles wants to change and modernize a lot. Whether he succeeds, remains questionable.
Can Prince Charles still become king?
Many Britons are skeptical about the happy future of the monarchy under King Charles. Even the Queen had hinted that the country was not prepared for such a change. A king who actively interferes in politics - unthinkable for many. Conservatives even fear damage to the monarchy. But despite all misgivings: The next king is called Charles III.
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Text: Kathi Behr
To read more: "Charles - The Heart of a King", by Catherine Mayer order here on Amazon
Also interesting: The British monarchy opens her photo album
