11 Things We Never Knew About Prince Charles

What an extraordinary life Prince Charles has had — from a tough time at boarding school, to a tumultuous first marriage, fatherhood, divorce, the death of his first wife, and a stable second marriage to his first love.

The future King of England is already the longest-serving heir apparent and will become the oldest monarch to be crowned when he finally ascends the throne.

Now, a new biography promises to stir up a hornet’s nest of intrigue about Charles. It talks about his difficult childhood and marriage to Princess Diana.

As the day that Charles becomes King draws inevitably closer, what are the things about him that continue to inspire, confound, and delight?

1. The future king was bullied at boarding school in Gordonstoun, Scotland. In one letter home, he wrote: “It’s such hell here, especially at night. The people in my dormitory are foul. They throw slippers all night or hit me with pillows or rush across the room and hit me as hard as they can, then beetle back again.”

2. When he was a teenager, Charles finally put his domineering father, Prince Philip, in his place. “Just remember, you’re talking to the future King of England.”

3. Afternoon tea with Charles includes boiled eggs and muffins served between 4 pm and 5 pm. His chefs will boil seven eggs at a time to ensure at least one is perfect.

4. In every one of Prince Charles’s jackets is a pen and small notepad for him to make to-do lists. He says: “If I don’t write it down, I’ve had it. As long as I write it down, I’ll do it.” 

Why can’t Prince Charles and Prince William fly together?