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11th Oct 2024

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

JOE

We’ve all been there

King Charles III had no idea what cling film was and “shrieked” the first time he saw it, an author has claimed in an unauthorised biography which detailed a selection of interesting stories about our new monarch.

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.”

BUILTH WELLS, WALES - JULY 04: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall look at eachother as they reopen the newly-renovated Edwardian community hall The Strand Hall during day three of a visit to Wales on July 4, 2018 in Builth Wells, Wales. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Thankfully Camila was there for Charles during the ordeal (Image: Getty)

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.

JAPAN - MAY 08: Prince Charles sketching in the gardens of Omiya Palace during a break in his official tour of Japan. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Charles sketching in the gardens of Omiya Palace in a break during his official tour of Japan, 2008 (Image: Getty)

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.”

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 15: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 15, 2022 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Charles and Camilla enjoying the finer things in life at Royal Ascot in 2013 (Image: Getty)

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.