Another story about Charles' comments. I watched his comments on the BBC.
I think it's funny that the 30-year BBC journalist laughed at him and will cover his wedding next week. I have an undergrad degree in journalism and worked seven years as a newspaper copy editor. I hope Charles realize that this won't win him or his "bride" any support for this wedding next week and that the journalists may not write fair e
ditorials about him or his family.
I noticed that someone wrote if something happens to the Pope or Rainier then the wedding will turn into a minor event. I hope it does not, because I hope they both will recover and I am not wishing any ill will toward anyone.
Charles 'Can't Bear' BBC's Nicholas Witchell
By Laura Elston, PA Deputy Court Correspondent
The Prince of Wales was said to have regretted his comments about the BBC’s royal correspondent who he branded as “awful”.
Charles was heard to mutter under his breath “bloody awful people” at a gathered press pack during an official Clarence House photocall at the Swiss ski resort of Klosters.
The heir to the throne’s mumbles, in which he revealed a particular dislike for BBC correspondent Nicholas Witchell, were picked up on microphones buried in the snow.
About Witchell, he remarked: “I can’t bear that man anyway. He’s so awful, he really is.”
Paddy Harverson, Clarence House’s communication secretary, said the Prince regretted taking his “general frustration” out on Mr Witchell.
Mr Harverson said: “Nicholas was in the firing line when the Prince was expressing his general frustration at the paparazzi and it boiled over at the first person to ask a question.
“It wasn’t personal. He does regret saying it. He really didn’t mean to take it out on Nicholas.”
Asked whether the Prince was going to apologise, he added: “We’re not going to go into that.”
Charles’s dislike of the media was revealed yesterday as he faced the media with sons William and Harry.
Aides said the Prince was angry after the paparazzi snatched pictures of William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton on Wednesday.
But it was suspected that ongoing critical coverage of his marriage could have also affected his mood during his brief five-minute appearance in the village of Monbiel during his week long stay in the Swiss Alps.
While it might have been pre-wedding nerves, the heir to the throne’s words suggested a more long-standing dislike of the media – especially Witchell.
The journalist asked the trio of royals a polite question about Charles’s forthcoming wedding to Camilla Parker next week.
He said to the Prince: “How are you feeling?”
Charles replied, looking uncomfortable: “I’m very glad you’ve heard of it anyway.”
He then quietly uttered to his sons: “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.”
The media event – the first official one with Charles and his sons since news of the wedding broke – had been expected to give William and Harry the opportunity to show their support for the wedding and for Camilla.
Witchell, who once famously sat on a protester when she barged into the BBC newsroom while he was reading the news, laughed off the criticism but declined to comment further.
The journalist, who has worked for the BBC for nearly 30 years and will be reporting from Windsor on the wedding day, grinned and chuckled during his lunchtime coverage on the matter.
Charles’s comments were branded a “PR disaster” by PR guru Max Clifford and have led to questions over whether the media stunt will be staged next year.
The royals have always had a troublesome relationships with the press.
Harry was pictured scuffling with a paparazzi photographer outside a nightclub and William has always found life in the limelight difficult.
Protected after the death of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, the brothers were given more privacy when Clarence House secured an informal agreement with the media to leave them alone while they were still in education.
But when William leaves university and Harry joins the Army, the future of the already rocky relationship could become even more problematic.
While all three Princes were generally more subdued than normal, William and Harry were far more cheerful than their father.
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“, adding: “It will be a good day.”
He said he was looking forward to being a witness, remarking: “As long as I don’t lose the rings.”
Quizzed on how he and Kate were coping with the media attention, he said: “I haven’t seen any of it. I’m just gagging to be on the slopes – simple as that.”
He dismissed a question about whether there would be a second royal wedding soon, saying “No“.
In an interview with The Sun newspaper, William reaffirmed he was too young to get married.
The prince said: “Look, I’m only 22 for God’s sake. I am too young to marry at my age.
“I don’t want to get married until I’m at least 28 or maybe 30.”
Of his brother, the prince said: “Harry is a great lad. The image people have of him is nothing like the real thing.”
The prince said his brother was “fun loving” and commanded adoration from his friends.
William was enjoying a night out when he conducted the informal conversation with the reporter in Klosters.
