Gloucestershire, November 15, 1996
At 5 to 1 I arrived at Highgrove House (the residence of Prince Charles, the current King Charles III, ed.). The footman who let me in, I asked about the toilets, because when you’re my age you can suddenly get the urge. He was about to show me the way when Prince Charles appeared in the hall to welcome me.
The Prince is an excellent host, but he is also shy and insecure. He speaks hesitantly, without finishing his sentences. He’s wary, wondering who to trust.
He said he Fourteen Friends is reading and asked if Diana Mosley (aristocratic fascist, ed.) appears in it; so he hasn’t even seen the table of contents yet. “I would never dare, even if she were dead,” I said.
We had lunch at the small round table in the bay window of the breakfast room, overlooking the hornbeams along the driveway. Lunch consisted of a rather dry quiche (a ready-made one), vegetables and ice cream with poached peaches.
What a sweet man. The heart in the right place. Dedicated to his charitable projects, deeply concerned about the misery of the world. Not very smart, although he tries his best. He deserves whatever support we can give him. A tragic figure with an abundance of charm.
James Lees-Milne (1908-1997), British architectural historian. Shortened excerpt from The Milk of Paradise – Diaries 1993-1997. John Murray, 2005.