Book reveals turf wars at Prince Charles' HQ
Biography out today claims 66-year-old is 'joylessly' preparing for the British throne
A new biography of Britain's Prince Charles has reignited debate about whether he is fit to become king, given his outspoken views and energetic activism.
The book also portrays a royal household riven with infighting, and an heir to the throne uncomfortable with the distant impartiality that has been the hallmark of his mother Queen Elizabeth's reign.
The 66-year-old Prince of Wales, the queen's eldest son, has spent a lifetime in preparation for the throne.
But he has also carved out a distinct and highly visible role for himself in public life by wading into topics that rouse him, such as youth deprivation, the environment and alternative medicine.
Catherine Mayer, the author of due out today, is a former London bureau chief for the US magazine .
Her book claims he is "joylessly" preparing for the throne and has no appetite for a role that would curb his ability to speak out.
"Far from itching to assume the crown, he is already feeling its weight and worrying about its impact on the job he has been doing," Mayer writes.
The book claims the prince has a "native insecurity", and that his Clarence House headquarters is riven with turf wars.
"The Boss", as his 161 employees call him, is reluctant to draw a veil over his convictions on subjects such as architecture, faith, organic farming and climate change.
"I only take on the most difficult challenges. Because I want to raise aspirations and recreate hope from hopelessness and health from deprivation," he told Mayer, who calls him "a man with a mission, a knight on a quest".
However, "there will always be critics who take him for a parasite, an eccentric, a plant whisperer", she writes.
Charles's father, Prince Philip, is said to believe his son is guilty of "selfish behaviour" for putting his "cerebral passions" ahead of royal duties.
Clarence House stressed it had not authorised the biography and reserves the right to take legal action.
"Speculation about the Prince of Wales's future role as king has been around for decades but it is not something we have commented on and nor will we do so now," said a spokeswoman.
Mayer was permitted a brief interview with Charles and quotes several anonymous close friends, aides and opponents.
Detractors of the book's contentions are similarly making use of off-the-record insiders to slap down many of its claims.
The book's editor W H Allen said the biography revealed "a man in sight of happiness yet still driven by anguish", inspired by "passionate views that mean he will never be as remote and impartial as his mother".
