In the spring of 2005, Prince Charles was about to marry Camilla Parker Bowles. After decades of controversy, the wedding was set for early April. Before that, Charles took a skiing holiday in Klosters, Switzerland, with his sons, William and Harry.
As was the custom, the royal family agreed to a short photocall with the press in return for being left alone for the rest of the holiday. On 31 March 2005, the three princes lined up in the snow in front of a crowd of photographers and reporters.
Microphones were pointed at them to capture any comments. The BBC’s royal correspondent, Nicholas Witchell, called out a question about the wedding, asking how Charles and Camilla were feeling about the big day.
Charles gave a short reply, saying he was very glad the reporter knew about it, anyway. Then, believing the microphones could not pick him up, he muttered under his breath to his sons.
The microphones caught every word. Charles was heard saying that he hated doing this. Then he said: bloody people. He went on to say that he could not bear that man, and that he was so awful, he really was. William, standing beside him, was heard quietly telling his father to keep smiling.
The clip was broadcast around the world within hours. Some people found it funny and human: a man who had spent his life being followed by cameras finally losing patience. Others thought it was rude and showed his frustration with the press, just days before a wedding that would put him under even more scrutiny.
The BBC played down the incident, and Nicholas Witchell continued reporting on the royal family for many years. Clarence House did not apologise.
Just over a week later, on 9 April 2005, Charles and Camilla were married at Windsor. The ski slope moment was soon overshadowed by the wedding. But it is still remembered as one of the rare times the public heard what the future King really thought, when he believed nobody else was listening.