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Charles III
53 quotes
“I think it's something that dawns on you with the most ghastly, inexorable sense. I didn't suddenly wake up in my pram one day and say 'Yippee, I —', you know. But I think it just dawns on you, you know, slowly, that people are interested in one, and slowly you get the idea that you have a certain duty and responsibility.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Prince of Wales: Full text of replies in radio debut", The Times, 3 March 1969, p. 3.
“You have got to choose somebody very carefully who could fulfill this particular role, because people like you, perhaps, would expect quite a lot from somebody like that and it has got to be somebody pretty special.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Prince Charles discusses marriage", The Times, 27 June 1969, p. 10
“I, Charles, Prince of Wales, do become your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship and faith and truth I will bear unto you to live and die against all manner of folks.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Oath of fealty taken by the Prince at his investiture at Caernarfon Castle, 1 July 1969.
“When people are uncertain about what is right and what is wrong, and anxious about being considered old-fashioned, it seems to be worse than folly that Christians are still arguing about doctrinal matters which can only bring needless distress to a number of people.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1978 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Clifford Longley, "Handicaps of royalty are highlighted by Prince's controversial remarks", The Times (Monday, 3 July 1978), p. 2
“Delighted and frankly amazed that Diana is prepared to take me on.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: BBC News online 'On this day', 24 February 1981.
“I have often thought that one of the less attractive traits of various professional bodies and institutions is the deeply ingrained suspicion and outright hostility which can exist towards anything unorthodox or unconventional.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Perhaps we just have to accept it is God's will that the unorthodox individual is doomed to years of frustration, ridicule and failure in order to act out his role in the scheme of things, until his day arrives and mankind is ready to receive his message: a message which he probably finds hard to explain, but which he knows comes from a far deeper source than conscious thought.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would suggest that the whole imposing edifice of modern medicine, for all its breathtaking successes is, like the celebrated Tower of Pisa, slightly off balance.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1982 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the British Medical Association, as cited in "Drugs: The Patient has had enough", The Times (16 December 1982), p. 12
“A large number of us have developed a feeling that architects tend to design houses for the approval of fellow architects and critics, not for the tenants.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Instead of designing an extension to the elegant facade of the National Gallery which complements it and continues the concept of columns and domes, it looks as if we may be presented with a kind of municipal fire station, complete with the sort of tower that contains the siren. I would understand better this type of high-tech approach if you demolished the whole of Trafalgar Square and started again with a single architect responsible for the entire layout, but what is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Gala Evening at Hampton Court Palace (30 May, 1984) as reproduced on the Prince of Wales' website
“What I want to know is; what is actually wrong with an elite, for God's sake?”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1985 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in the Observer, 1985 (Stephen Moss, Charles' world (19 November 2004), The Guardian)
“I now appreciate that Arabs and Jews were all a Semitic people originally + it is the influx of foreign, European Jews (especially from Poland, they say) which has helped to cause great problems. I know there are so many complex issues, but how can there ever be an end to terrorism unless the causes are eliminated? Surely some US president has to have the courage to stand up and take on the Jewish lobby in US? I must be naive, I suppose!”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1986 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 24 November 1986 letter to Laurens van der Post, cited in Alexander Fulbright "In 1986 letter, Prince Charles blamed ‘foreign’ Jews for Mideast turmoil" The Times of Israel (12 November 2017)
“Charles: Oh. God. I'll just live inside your trousers or something. It would be much easier!”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 18 December 1989 telephone call between Charles and his then-lover Camilla Parker Bowles (a conversation around which developed Tampongate). Cited in Madeleine Aggeler, 'Put 'Tampongate' in The Crown, You Cowards', The …
“There is a persistent current that flows along undermining the integrity and motives of individuals, organisations and institutions. An insidious impression is thereby created that, for instance, the police are corrupt, British justice is flawed, the BBC is moribund and public servants are time-serving wasters of taxpayers' money. Can we really believe the fashionable theorists in the English faculties of our universities who have tried to tear apart many of our wonderful novelists, poets and playwrights because they do not fit their abstruse theories of the day?”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the Newspaper Society in London (4 May 1994), quoted in Alexandra Frean and Philip Webster, 'Prince enrages the Left with attack on ‘trendy dogma’', The Times (5 May 1994), p. 1
“Mrs. Parker Bowles is a great friend of mine...a friend for a very long time. She will continue to be a friend for a long time.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: When asked about his relationship with Camilla during his interview with journalist Jonathan Dimbleby in 1994.
“Jonathan Dimbleby: Understandably, when your marriage collapsed, you form close friendships, you re-establish close friendships, of whatever character that friendship is. Were you, did you try to be, faithful and honourable to your wife when you took on the vow of marriage? Charles, Prince of Wales: Yes, absolutely. Dimbleby: And you were? Charles: Yes, until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Jonathan Dimbleby for the television programme "Charles: The private man, the public role" (29 June 1994); as quoted in "Intimate portrait of a private man in the public eye" by Alan Hamilton, The Times (…
“Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress?”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in the Daily Mail, December 1994 (Stephen Moss, Charles' world (19 November 2004), The Guardian)
“These bloody people. I can't bear that man. I mean, he's so awful, he really is.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Referring to BBC royal reporter Nicholas Witchell. Unguarded comments to his sons during a skiing holiday in Klosters at a media photocall, as reported in "I hate facing media, says Charles" BBC News (31 March 2005)
“After my speech, the President detached himself from the group of appalling old waxworks who accompanied him and took his place at the lectern. He then gave a kind of "propaganda" speech which was loudly cheered by the bussed-in party faithful at the suitable moment in the text.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Entry in private journal about the handover of British sovereignty in Hong Kong in 1997 referring to President Jiang Zemin of China; as quoted in "Appalling waxworks", by Katie Nicholl and Dominic Turnbull Mail on Sunda…
“Such is the end of Empire.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'It's no wonder this region gets jumpy about the Chinese...'", The Mail on Sunday, (13 November 2005) p. 8.
“I believe that the proper mix of proven complementary, traditional and modern remedies, which emphasizes the active participation of the patient, can help create a powerful healing force in the world.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Orthodox practice can learn from complementary medicine. The West can learn from the East and new from old traditions.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[In] the ceaseless rush to modernize [...] many beneficial approaches, which have been tried and tested and have shown themselves to be effective, have been cast aside because they are deemed to be old-fashioned or irrelevant to today's needs.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From a speech at the World Health Organization, Geneva (23 May 2006), as cited in "Lying in wait for Prince Charles", The New York Times (24 May 2006)
“[In his Highgrove garden.] I happily talk to the plants and trees, and listen to them. I think it's absolutely crucial [...] Everything I've done here, it's like almost with your children. Every tree has a meaning for me.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comment in BBC documentary, as reproduced in "Prince Charles Eavesdrops on Tourists, Speaks to Plants" ABC News (20 September 2010)
“If you want to develop character, go to Australia.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'Pommy bastard' Prince Charles reveals 'huge affection' for Australia", The Sydney Morning Herald (27 January 2011)
“I don’t want to be confronted by my future grandchild and them say, "Why didn’t you do something?" So clearly now that we will have a grandchild, it makes it even more obvious to try to make sure we leave them something that isn’t a total poisoned chalice.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on This Morning (ITV, 7 January 2013), cited in "Royal baby inspires environmental campaigning" The Times (6 January 2013)
“[About the death of Diana, Princess of Wales] We'll forget her soon enough.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: An alleged phone call with Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer quoted in the book Swan Song, as reported by Ella Kipling and Sean Coughlan, "'Grief can colour memory': Palace responds after Earl Spencer's claim in Diana b…
“I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen — my beloved mother — was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example. Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When the Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times. In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the state have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of realms — of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud — have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I can't bear this bloody thing. Every stinking time.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Charles referring to the leaky pen he used to sign the visitors' book at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. Quoted in 'I can't bear this bloody thing': King loses patience with leaky pen as he signs visitors' book i…
“As stewards of this precious planet, it is our actions, and our actions alone, that will determine its future.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When my dear late mother addressed your predecessors seven decades ago, she said that in that age, and against the backdrop of international affairs, no nation could live unto itself. It is a source of great pride that, in the following decades, Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good. … As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As I look back across the centuries, Mr. Speaker, there emerge certain patterns; certain self-evident truths from which we can learn and draw mutual strength. With the Spirit of 1776 in our minds, we can perhaps agree that we do not always agree – at least in the first instance! Indeed, the very principle on which your Congress was founded – no taxation without representation – was at once a fundamental disagreement between us, and at the same time a shared democratic value which you inherited from us. Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time, and the United Nations Security Council was united in the face of terror, we answered the call together – as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder, through two World Wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan and moments that have defined our shared security. Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people – in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our common ideals were not only crucial for liberty and equality, they are also the foundation of our shared prosperity. The Rule of Law: the certainty of stable and accessible rules, an independent judiciary resolving disputes and delivering impartial justice. These features created the conditions for centuries of unmatched economic growth in our two countries. This is why our governments are concluding new economic and technology agreements – to write the next chapter of our joint prosperity and ensure that British and American ingenuity continues to lead the world.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable partnership. From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential Alliances in human history. I pray with all my heart that our Alliance will continue to defend our shared values, with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since Independence. The actions of this great Nation matter even more. President Lincoln understood this so well, with his reflection in the magisterial Gettysburg Address that the world may little note what we say, but will never forget what we do. And so, to the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world. God bless the United States and God bless the United Kingdom.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Medieval Islam was a religion of remarkable tolerance for its time, allowing Jews and Christians the right to practise their inherited beliefs, and setting an example which was not, unfortunately, copied for many centuries in the West. The surprise, ladies and gentlemen, is the extent to which Islam has been a part of Europe for so long, first in Spain, then in the Balkans, and the extent to which it has contributed so much towards the civilisation which we all too often think of, wrongly, as entirely Western. Islam is part of our past and our present, in all fields of human endeavour. It has helped to create modern Europe. It is part of our own inheritance, not a thing apart.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech on Islam and the West to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (27 October 1993)
“There is perhaps an inherent danger from those who love to parade a kind of dogmatic arrogance without listening to the views of ordinary people. All around us we see the evidence, day after day, of the short-lived theories and fashions which can undermine our individuality, undermine our confidence and take too mechanical or untrusting a view of human nature. The result can be damaging—sometimes devastatingly so—to our confidence and the way we behave... The misnamed fashion for what people call "political correctness" amounts to testing everything, every aspect of life, every aspect of society, against a predetermined, preordained view... The intimidation is palpable. Any questioning, in a perfectly polite way, of the current fashions, usually elicits a vitriolic response—whether it is a wish to teach people the basic principles of English grammar and to rescue the idea that there is a vast difference between good and bad English, or suggesting that in certain circumstances it may be necessary and sensible to administer a smack to your child.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the Newspaper Society in London (4 May 1994), quoted in Alexandra Frean and Philip Webster, 'Prince enrages the Left with attack on ‘trendy dogma’', The Times (5 May 1994), p. 1
“Islamic culture in its traditional form has striven to preserve this integrated spiritual view of the world in a way we have not seen fit to do in recent generations in the West.[...] There is the potential for establishing new and valuable links between Islamic civilisation and the West. Perhaps, for instance, we could begin by having more Muslim teachers in British schools, or by encouraging exchanges of teachers. Everywhere in the world people are seemingly wanting to learn English. But in the West, in turn, we need to be taught by Islamic teachers how to learn once again with our hearts, as well as our heads.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 1996 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech on A Sense of the Sacred: Building Bridges Between Islam and the West to Wilton Park (13 December 1996)
“Climate change and biodiversity loss . . . pose an even greater existential threat [than the COVID-19 pandemic], to the extent that we have to put ourselves on what might be called a war-like footing. . . . Putting a value on carbon . . . [is] absolutely critical. . . . [W]e need a vast military style campaign to marshall the strength of the global private sector[, which has] trillions at its disposal . . . . [E]ach sector needs a clear strategy to speed up the process of getting innovations to market [and we] need to align private investment behind these industry strategies. . . . If we can develop a pipeline of many more sustainable and "bankable" projects, at a sufficient scale, it will attract greater investment. . . . CEOs and institutional investors have told me that alongside the promises countries have made, their nationally determined contributions, they need clear market signals, agreed globally, so that they have the confidence to invest without the goal posts suddenly moving. . . . [[w:Charles III#Natural environment|[W]e are working]] to drive trillions of dollars in support of transition across ten of the most emitting and polluting industries [including] energy, agriculture, transportation, health systems and fashion. . . . I can only urge you, as the world’s decision-makers, to find practical ways of overcoming differences so we can all . . . rescue this precious planet and save the threatened future of our young people.”
Charles III (born 1948) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Excerpted from a Sky News video of the speech on Youtube and the pre-submitted text of the speech from princeofwales.gov.uk. Text of the speech has subsequently been made available at the website for the UK Royal Family…
“In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples. That was more than a promise; it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to see the best in people. I pay tribute to my mother's memory and I honour her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government. As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation. And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In a little over a week's time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express. And to my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May "flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It has been nearly seventy years since the Sovereign first opened Parliament. In the time since, Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its Constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth. Canada has embraced its British, French, and Indigenous roots, and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural, and committed to reconciliation. The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present. As it should, it stands proudly as a symbol of Canada today, in all her richness and dynamism.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When my dear late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, opened a new Canadian Parliament in 1957, the Second World War remained a fresh, painful memory. The Cold War was intensifying. Freedom and democracy were under threat. Canada was emerging as a growing economic power and a force for peace in the world. In the decades since, history has been punctuated by epoch-making events: the Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the start of the War on Terror. Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect. The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationships with partners are also changing.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling. Yet this moment is also an incredible opportunity. An opportunity for renewal. An opportunity to think big and to act bigger. An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War. A confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognising that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We meet in times of great uncertainty; in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East which pose immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries. We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your Nation and to foment wider fear and discord. Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence will never succeed. Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am the nineteenth in our line of Sovereigns to study, with daily attention, the affairs of America. So, I come here today with the highest respect for the United States Congress; this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of all American people to advance sacred rights and freedoms. Speaking in this renowned chamber of debate and deliberation, I cannot help but think of my late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who, in 1991, was also afforded this signal honor and similarly spoke under the watchful eye of the Statue of Freedom above us. Today, I am here on this great occasion in the life of our Nations to express the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“By balancing contending forces and drawing strength in diversity, they united thirteen disparate colonies to forge a Nation on the revolutionary idea of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’. They carried with them, and carried forward, the great inheritance of the British Enlightenment – as well as the ideals which had an even deeper history in English Common Law and Magna Carta. These roots run deep, and they are still vital. Our Declaration of Rights of 1689 was not only the foundation of our constitutional Monarchy, but also provided the source of so many of the principles reiterated – often verbatim – in the American Bill of Rights of 1791.”
Charles III (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source