Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
He’s incredibly kind. I don’t think people see his incredible kindness and the things he does behind the scenes. People who worked for him years ago will write to him and if they’ve fallen on hard times he’ll do everything he can to help them. Put them on to the right doctors. I don’t think people see that and it’s not something he shouts about.
The other thing, which probably doesn’t come over as well as it should, is that he has got a very good sense of humour. He’s very funny. He’s also a very good mimic. He rather likes acting. He rather enjoys speeches, unlike some of us. He can mimic most people. He’s very good at any accent. When he’s doing speeches anywhere around the world, somebody will give him three lines [of the local language] and he comes out with the accent.
And, of course, he’s wonderful with children. He doesn’t mind crawling about on the floor for hours with them. We had a picture the other day with Louis pulling on his hair, and he’s not one of those people who says ‘take your hand away’. He loves it. He’s exceptionally good with very small children and babies. He loves to really make them laugh. Getting them out in the garden and showing them things. My grandchildren adore him and they can’t wait to see him. He knows exactly what they’re into.
He never gives up. He will just go on and on until he achieves what he wants. I wish he wouldn’t sometimes! It’s very hard to get him to relax and drag him away from his letters and boxes. He gets completely blinkered, rather like the children watching a favourite television programme. You can’t drag him away.
I don’t think he thinks he’s 70, I think it’s just a number to him. There’s no way that he will slow down. You must be joking. I keep saying 70 is getting on a bit. It’s not very old but it is old. You have to slow down a bit.