A wonderful look at the life and times, ups and downs, and byways and highways of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, is beautifully chronicled by Sally Bedell Smith, a superb American historian, who has previously turned out biographies on Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, John and Jacqueline Kennedy, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Smith’s latest offering is ``Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life.”
Any serious talk of the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II, must embrace the young prince’s misguided marriage to Diana Frances Spencer, a marriage that was doomed before it even began.
As much as Charles wanted to do the right thing and marry a young beautiful woman with roots of British nobility, his heart was still very much tethered to Camilla Parker Bowles (his first real love) when he married Diana in 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in a spectacular ceremony before an estimated 750 million television viewers spanning the globe.
The ruptures in the marriage of the world’s most photographed couple came thick and fast. Diana was always suspicious of her husband’s infatuation with his former lover; her suspicion became an obsession, leading her to confront Camilla and even, if some stories are to do be believed, stalked Ms. Bowles, who was also married.
Diana quickly found herself in a loveless marriage with a partner, due primarily to his sheltered upbringing, who was incapable of displaying affection.
After Harry, their second son, was born in 1984, Diana and Charles’ marriage was essentially over. They both opted for separate bedrooms.
The royal couple separated in 1992 and divorced on August 26, 1996.
Smith deftly documents the mounting hate that developed between Diana and Charles that erupted before the public when they both tried to win over the minds and hearts of public opinion by baring their soul in two exclusive interviews. In those highly watched television interviews, both admitted to a worldwide audience that they had been unfaithful in their marriage.
The rehabilitation of Prince Charles wouldn’t blossom until after Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997. It was only then that the public began to appreciate what a loving and attentive father he was after William and Harry were left motherless at ages 15 and 12 respectively.
One of the prince’s staunchest defenders was his eldest son, referring to his father as a role model and heaping praise on him for maintaining a positive attitude. “I just wish that people would give him a break,” William once said.
The public additionally began to appreciate how passionate the Prince of Wales was about international affairs, the deterioration (in his mind) of the London landscape, and his profound concerns about the environment and global warming. Smith notes besides being defender of the faith, Charles always wanted to be known as the defender of nature.
Another important slice of his rehabilitation was the public coming to accept his ongoing relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles (his soul mate) and their subsequent marriage in 2005. A union that eventually came to be accepted by the two closest and dearest to him: his two sons.
A recurring theme running through Smith’s well researched, splendidly written biography, deals with Charles waiting and waiting and waiting some more to ascend to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II at 91 years of age, is still very much alive and kicking with no signs of slowing down. In 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria as the longest reigning United Kingdom monarch.
If and when Charles, 68, becomes king, he will be the oldest person in British history to assume the throne, older than King William IV, who was crowned at age 64 in 1830.
Far from a hagiography, Smith presents a well-balanced treatment of Prince Charles, stretching back to his youth, when he was a pampered and sheltered child, afraid to get too close to anyone; but slowly, with many bumps along the way, began to develop a more compassionate persona and a mission with bigger and more profound interests than the trifles of the British monarchy, welcoming dignitaries, and attending State dinners.
--Bill Lucey
September 7, 2017
Terrific digest of a fantastic book! I too loved the balance which Bedell Smith manages, so difficult for most English who feel they have to take sides- and the book is packed full of anecdotes which humanise Charles. As Britain hits turbulent times we need more than ever to understand our heir in waiting for the day when finally he will wait no longer!
Posted by: Anne sebba | 09/07/2017 at 02:01 AM