King Charles did not know what cling film was and ‘shrieked’ the first time he saw it

We've all been there

Author Tom Bower said he interviewed over 120 people for his biography of Charles, entitled 'Rebel Prince'.

The book delves into Charles's struggles to overcome unpopularity, and includes some pretty unexpected tales along the way.

Explaining how the royal reportedly had his first encounter with cling film, Bower wrote: “He walked into the dining room and shrieked. 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.”

And this isn't the last of the bizarre revelations the author claims to make about our new king. Alleged behaviours include working until midnight and changing his clothes up to four times a day.

Bower, who has also written unauthorised biographies for the likes of Tony Blair and Richard Branson, claimed Charles is obsessed with public opinion, and that one time, he hurled a dinner plate to the floor at a dinner party after learning about his low popularity ratings.

Bower also claims Charles was concerned the public cared more about Prince William and Kate than him.

Our current king is also addicted to luxury, the author claimed. He alleged that Charles took a £18,916 journey via royal train from Highgrove to Penrith, simply to visit a pub.

The prince also reportedly complained about not travelling first class to Hong Kong, and allegedly wrote in his journal: “It took me some time to realise … that this was not first class (!) although it puzzled me as to why the seat seemed so uncomfortable. Such is the end of Empire, I sighed to myself.”

Bower, who described himself as a committed monarchist, concluded that Charles' legacy has been “tarnished by his addiction to luxury, his financial mismanagement, his disloyalty to professional supporters, and the torrid relationships with his family”.

And when it comes to being king, the author said he worried Charles will “act alone, without any restraining adviser."

He added: “For committed monarchists, that independence is alarming. They can only hope for the best.”

The Guardian contacted a Clarence House spokesperson at the time of publication, but they declined to comment on the allegations made in the book.