Prince Charles is the oldest son of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II. His position in the line of succession as the firstborn male heir enables him to carry the title, Prince of Wales. And to many royal observers and commentators, it is clear to see the father and son relationship has been strained for decades.
While the Duke of Edinburgh has a rough and rugged exterior and personality, the Prince of Wales has always been understood to carry more sensitive tendencies.
And according to one royal expert, this has often brought on a clash of personalities between the duo.
Royal author Penny Junior explained: “Prince Philip is bluff, outspoken, hearty, tough and something of a bully.
“He has no patience with his eldest son’s soul searching.
READ MORE: Prince Harry may pine for UK as Charles delivers poignant message
“Sensitivity is not one of the qualities he expects in a man, and although he undoubtedly has great affection for Prince Charles, he has spent a lifetime criticising him and quietly undermining his self esteem.”
Prince Philip himself has spoken out about the two’s differences in the past.
In a 2004 interview, the Duke of Edinburgh said: “Charles is a romantic – and I am a pragmatist.
“That means we do see things differently. And because I don’t see things as a romantic would, I am unfeeling.”
“He was probably a little frustrated that they could not just get on with it.”
Former Royal Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter added: “That’s the kind of man he [Prince Philip] is, he’s a man who gets on with things.
“He was exasperated that all these things were going on within the family. None of which was the fault of the Queen or Prince Philip.”
Speaking about the effect it had on the royal family, Mr Arbiter added: “It was having repercussions on the Queen – the media were saying why can’t she control her family?
“Well if your son is 40-something, you don’t tell a 40-year-old how to behave. You hope that they are going to be able to do it themselves.”
Though their relationship is reportedly much better these days than it was, Prince Charles once reflected on why he and his father never quite saw eye-to-eye.
In his 1994 biography, Prince of Wales, by Jonathan Dimbleby, Prince Charles said he often felt “emotionally estranged” from his two duty-bound parents.
The Prince said he had desired affection that he believed they were “unable or unwilling to offer”.
