PRINCE Charles has given royal fans a sneak peek inside his Scottish study that he shares with wife Camilla Parker Bowles.
Yesterday, the Prince of Wales, 71, shared a video message through his charity, The Prince’s Trust, on the impact coronavirus has had on young people.
Prince Charles gave fans a sneak peek inside his study at his Scottish home Birkhall, during a video for The Prince’s trustIn the poignant video clip, Charles can be seen sitting in front of a bookcase at this desk at Birkhall, which is his home on the Queen’s Balmoral estate.
Charles has been self-isolating at the Aberdeenshire residence during lockdown, and has been active with virtual engagements after recovering from coronavirus himself.
The video, posted on the charity’s Twitter page, gave a more indepth look at his private room, which is strewn with personal photos and prized possessions.
From a treasured picture of grandson Archie to a whopping book collection, here’s what we can learn about the royal from the clip…
1. A watercolour of Balmoral
The office includes a water-colour painting of Balmoral, known as the Queen’s favourite home
Given the home is on the Balmoral estate, it is no surprise that Charles has a beautiful watercolour painting of the castle, which is owned by his mother.
Every summer, the family head to the Scottish residence for fishing, shooting and quality time together.
It’s not known who is the painter behind the picture, but it is a fitting tribute to the popular home.
The Scottish castle has been in the Royal Family since 1852 and boasts over 50,000 acres of land, 52 bedrooms and is estimated to be worth a cool £155 million according to Business Insider.
2. A painting of the Castle of Mey
There is also a picture of what appears to be Castle of Mey, in Caithness, Scotland
Another place close to the Prince of Wales’ heart is the Castle of Mey, in Caithness.
This historical home belonged to the Queen Mother from 1952 to 1996, and then was given to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust of which Prince Charles is President.
In May 2019, Charles opened the bed and breakfast The Granary Lodge in the grounds.
3. A painting of lillies
There is a sweet hand-painted watercolour of lilies which is signed by ‘C’ with a kiss
One of the more romantic points in the room is an unframed watercolour painting of peach lilies.
This has a handwritten note signed by the initial “C” that appears to say: “Darling, happy anniversary, all my love,” followed by a kiss.
4. Copy of The Mahabharata Book II: The Book Of The Assembly Hall
Charles has many books piled high in the office, including The Mahabharata Book II: The Book Of The Assembly Hall
Charles has numerous books in his study, and stacked among a pile is The Mahabharata Book II: The Book Of The Assembly Hall, which is considered to be the greatest epic of India.
Charles and Camilla have visited India many times, and are particularly attached to it.
During a visit to Mumbai in 2003, he said: “I will have to pay many more visits to this vast and diverse country for which I have a particular affection.”
5. Hand-painted light shade
This stunning hand-painted lamp shows a galleon out at sea
One of the focal points of the room is a grand floor lamp with a shade that has a hand-painted galleon ship on the sea.
Although it’s not clear which vessel is depicted in particular, it could be HMS Royal Charles, which is a three-decker ship of the line of the Royal Navy.
6. Family photographs
Charles has a collection of family snaps, but it is hard to make out who is featured
As well as an impressive library of books and trinkets, Charles also has a number of family photos.
Although it is tricky to make out who is featured in this shot, it does look similar to his granddaughter Princess Charlotte.
Eagle-eyed fans will notice that there are three quail feathers in front of the frame, with the birds often seen in the area during warmer months.
7. Shattered by Dick Francis
One of the books is the thriller Shattered by Dick Francis
Dick was one of the Queen Mother’s favourite jockeys, and he later turned his hand to writing
Another book seen in the large collection is Shattered by British thriller writer Dick Francis.
The writer, who died in 2000, has royal ties, as he was known as the Queen Mother’s favourite jockey before he turned to writing.
Perhaps the Queen Mother brought the book to the house and it has been treasured by her grandson over the years.
8. The Door Wherein I Went by Lord Hailsham
Another title on the shelf is The Door Wherein I Went by Conservative politician Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone
Next to the Shattered thriller is The Door Wherein I Went, which is the autobiography of Conservative politician Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone.
The book was published in 1975, with Lord Hailsham passing away in 2001.
The Door Wherein I Went includes a passage about suicide, after Quintin’s half-brother Edward too his own life as a young man, affecting Quintin deeply.
9. Tropica: Color Cyclopedia of Exotic Plants and Trees from the Tropics and Subtropics by Alfred Byrd Graf
Prince Charles is known to be a fan of horticulture and gardening, and this is reflected in this 1978 book.
It has been described as a “masterpiece” by fans online.
10. Framed photograph of a grazing stag
The 50,000-acre Aberdeenshire Estate is full of roaming deer and Charles may have paid tribute to this in a photo in his study.
Just over his shoulder in the clip is the picture of a stag.
11. Framed photo of the Queen, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother
Charles also has this family shot and tiny teddy bear
Another sentimental touch in the room is a large photo of close family for him to look at.
The people in the frame are the Queen, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother at a black tie event.
It is not known what occasion was captured, but the fact the Queen and the Queen Mother aren’t wearing tiaras suggests it was not a State banquet.
12. Miniature stuffed teddy bear with a bow
A rather cute touch in the study is a little stuffed teddy bear with a bow around its neck.
The toy could have belonged to Charles as a young boy, but this hasn’t been determined.
13. Photograph of grandson Archie or Louis
Charles can be seen holding a small boy which could be Archie or Louis
Charles also had an adorable photo of him holding a baby in a white sun hat.
Given the youngster’s age, the tot could be either Archie, one, or two-year-old Prince Louis.
Charles is said to have last seen Archie before Christmas, so the snap could have been gifted to Charles from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
14. Painting of a military man in formal dress
Hanging on the wall is a painting of a man in military dress, and a photo of Charles and Camilla outside their Welsh home, Llwynywermod
Also spotted in the Scottish study is a man in military dress.
It is unclear who the man is, but the uniform looks like it could be from around the 1700s.
15. Photograph of Llwynywermod
Another photo of a grand residence is featured in the office, and it looks to be Llwynywermod, the Welsh home of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
The shot shows the couple lounging in chairs in the garden outside.
16. Potted fern
Green-fingered Charles also has a potted fern in his home study.
He is known to be an avid fan of gardening and described the “enchanting” grounds of Birkhall as a “special place”.
17. Copy of Cosmic Hologram
Another book in the office is Cosmic Hologram, by Jude Currivan who is a cosmologist who used to be one of the most senior business women in the UK.
The book explores how “holographic patterns of information underlie our physical reality.”
Charles studied history, archaeology and anthropology at Trinity College Cambridge, and graduated in 1970 with a 2:2.
We previously saw inside another angle of Prince Charles’ office with unseen snap of Archie, photo of his ‘favourite’ sibling & his own book pride of place.
Plus we told you how Kate Middleton now has a simpler style because she doesn’t have to “compete with Meghan.”
And Prince William and Kate Middleton share home-schooling duties while leading the Royal ‘crusade’ against coronavirus.
