This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46133114

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Prince Charles won't 'meddle' when he becomes king Prince Charles won't 'meddle' when he becomes king
(35 minutes later)
The Prince of Wales says he will stop speaking out on topics he feels strongly about when he becomes king, as he is "not that stupid".The Prince of Wales says he will stop speaking out on topics he feels strongly about when he becomes king, as he is "not that stupid".
He has campaigned on issues such as the environment for decades, but says he would not do the same as monarch.He has campaigned on issues such as the environment for decades, but says he would not do the same as monarch.
Speaking in a BBC documentary to mark his 70th birthday, Prince Charles said the idea that he would continue making interventions was "nonsense".Speaking in a BBC documentary to mark his 70th birthday, Prince Charles said the idea that he would continue making interventions was "nonsense".
He said he would have to operate within "constitutional parameters".He said he would have to operate within "constitutional parameters".
In the hour-long programme, he was asked about what some people have called his "meddling", but he said he had always tried to remain "non-party political". 'Completely different' roles
In the hour-long programme, he was asked about what some people have called his "meddling", but said he had always tried to remain "non-party political".
He said: "I think it's vital to remember there's only room for one sovereign at a time, not two.He said: "I think it's vital to remember there's only room for one sovereign at a time, not two.
"So, you can't be the same as the sovereign if you're the Prince of Wales or the heir."So, you can't be the same as the sovereign if you're the Prince of Wales or the heir.
"But the idea, somehow, that I'm going to go on in exactly the same way, if I have to succeed, is complete nonsense because the two - the two situations - are completely different.""But the idea, somehow, that I'm going to go on in exactly the same way, if I have to succeed, is complete nonsense because the two - the two situations - are completely different."
Asked whether his public campaigning will continue, he said: "No, it won't. I'm not that stupid. Asked whether his public campaigning would continue, he said: "No, it won't. I'm not that stupid.
"I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign. So of course I understand entirely how that should operate.""I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign. So of course I understand entirely how that should operate."
In the documentary, he also defended his public interventions as Prince of Wales. Documentary film maker John Bridcut, who followed the royal for 12 months, said Prince Charles "bridled a bit" at the use of the word meddling, and instead preferred to think of his interventions as "motivating".
The heir to the throne said: "If it's meddling to worry about the inner cities as I did 40 years ago, then if that's meddling I'm proud of it."The heir to the throne said: "If it's meddling to worry about the inner cities as I did 40 years ago, then if that's meddling I'm proud of it."
The BBC has been given exclusive access over the last 12 months to film Prince Charles, who turns 70 on 14 November. BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the prince did not "entirely rule out the idea that as sovereign he would use his convening powers to bring people together", potentially for conferences on the environment and other topics.
In the programme, the Duke of Cambridge said he would like his father to spend more time with his grandchildren - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But he added Prince Charles said "he could only do that with the agreement of ministers".
Prince William said "when he's there, he's brilliant" but "we need him there as much as possible". 'He's brilliant'
Mr Bridcut said: "People who think he's hanging around, longing to be king, are very mistaken.
"It's not something he's dying to assume because inevitably it will only arise after the death of his mother.
"But also he knows that he's had a chance to make a difference as Prince of Wales and that can't continue in the same way."
He added that the Duchess of Cornwall, who is also interviewed in the documentary, "makes the point that this burden does not weigh heavily on his shoulders".
The BBC has been given exclusive access to film Prince Charles, who turns 70 on 14 November.
Also appearing in the programme, the Duke of Cambridge said he would like his father to spend more time with his grandchildren - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prince William said, "when he's there, he's brilliant" but "we need him there as much as possible".
The Prince of Wales has been championing environmental and social issues for many years and the Duchess of Cornwall said he was "pretty impatient" to get things done.The Prince of Wales has been championing environmental and social issues for many years and the Duchess of Cornwall said he was "pretty impatient" to get things done.
She said: "He wants things done by yesterday as I think everybody who works for him will tell you. But that's how he gets things done, he's driven by this, this passion inside him to really help.She said: "He wants things done by yesterday as I think everybody who works for him will tell you. But that's how he gets things done, he's driven by this, this passion inside him to really help.
"He would like to save the world.""He would like to save the world."