Britain: The heir to the British throne's seething dislike of the media was laid bare yesterday when, for several unguarded minutes and unaware of a microphone within listening distance, Prince Charles muttered his deep dislike for the press.
His mumbles, in which he revealed a particular dislike for the BBC's royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell, were picked up on microphones buried in the snow during a photocall in Klosters, Switzerland, where Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry, are on their annual skiing holiday.
About Witchell, Charles remarked: "I can't bear that man anyway. He's so awful, he really is." Aides said the prince was angry after the paparazzi snatched pictures of William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton yesterday.
But it was suspected that ongoing critical coverage of the impending marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles could have also affected his mood during his brief five-minute appearance.
Witchell asked the trio a question about next week's wedding. "How are you feeling?" he asked Charles."I'm very glad you've heard of it anyway," the prince, looking uncomfortable, replied sarcastically. Looking straight at the press, he said to his sons, sotto voce: "These bloody people. I can't bear that man anyway. He's so awful, he really is."
The comments were only noticed afterwards when the recordings were played back. Many of his grumblings were mumbled, but Charles, who had spotted the microphones in the snow earlier, also appeared to say either "I hate these people" or "I hate doing this".
Harry (20) was also caught on tape declaring sarcastically "This is so much fun," while William (22) tried to keep up the pretence by urging: "Keep smiling. Keep smiling."
Harry - on his first official appearance since the Nazi fancy dress costume gaffe - did laugh and smile, but said very little and made no mention of his father's wedding. William was the first to respond on the marriage, saying he was "very happy, very pleased".