Everybody has their own travel habits without which they cannot go on a trip. But when you are a royal, people are all eyes and ears to find out what quirks define your travel traditions. And, as recently revealed by ‘The Palace Papers’, Tina Brown’s book, the Prince of Wales has plentiful.
As a future king, it is unsurprising that Prince Charles needs be comfortable and safe during his travels, but it seems he might be taking things a little too far, going from comfortable to simply picky.
Among the things the prince asks to have sent before his arrival to a destination are his own toilet seat, a bed, pre-mixed martinis and even his own pictures to hang on the wall. According to Brown’s book, Michael Fawcett, the former personal aide of the Prince of Wales is known as the man who squeezed toothpaste on His Royal Highness’ toothbrush. But Fawcett was responsible for a much more important task, overseeing the “paraphernalia that preceded his boss like the baggage train of a Tudor traveling court”, including “the prince’s orthopaedic bed, lavatory seat, and Kleenex Velvet lavatory paper, plus two landscapes of the Scottish landscapes”.
When he traveled to stay at friends’ country houses, a truck arrived the day before, bringing his bed, furniture, and even pictures, which his pampering aide Michael Fawcett ensured would be hung in his allotted bedroom in place of the possessions of the host.
The Palace Papers, Tina Brown’s book
What is even more shocking is that all this preparation is not only necessary for longer overseas trips, but even for short visits at HRH’s friends in the English countryside. Brown reveals that “When he travelled to stay at friends’ country houses, a truck arrived the day before, bringing his bed, furniture, and even pictures, which his pampering aide Michael Fawcett ensured would be hung in his allotted bedroom in place of the possessions of the host”.
Furthermore, Prince Charles always conveys some menu preferences to the hosts, unlike his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who does not fuss about the food she is served. Apparently, the prince even brings his very own special glass out of which to drink his very own special pre-mixed martinis, prepared by his protection officer in tow and ready at all times to be handed to him by a butler.
