Huw Edwards says he ‘can’t fault’ how Charles has done the job of Prince of Wales
Broadcaster Huw Edwards has said that he “can’t fault” how Charles has done the job of Prince of Wales, a judgment he knows will “irritate” some republicans in Wales.
Speaking to the Daily Mail before the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, parts of the coverage of which he will be presenting, Huw Edwards said that the Prince of Wales had made an effort to take an interest in Wales.
“Some of my best friends who are republicans may get irritated by this, but Prince Charles has taken his duties as the Prince of Wales very seriously,” Huw Edwards said.
“He learned Welsh. He’s very well-read in terms of Welsh history. He takes an interest in Welsh life and culture.
“You can’t fault him for the way he’s tackled the job.”
‘Distance’
Huw Edwards added that while there was a greater sense of detachment from the Queen, he had been given the opportunity to get to know Prince Charles a little better.
“I like that he has very strong opinions but invites you to deliver your own, and listens,” Huw Edwards said.
“He has a great sense of humour, although lots of people don’t get it. He’s eccentric in his way, but that’s rather appealing.
“He can be disarmingly honest. All of those things impress me.”
But Huw Edwards said that it was not his job to become friends with the Royals.
“There’s a distance which is right for the job,” he said. “I’m not there as somebody who’s blowing the party balloons up, so a bit of detachment is good.”
He added that his biggest Royal presenting mistake had been related to Wales, while doing the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. He called the Massed Bands of the Guards Division the Massed Gangs of the Bards Division.
“Thankfully the Queen hadn’t arrived but everyone else had including the prime minister, the government and the heads of the Armed Forces,” he said.
“The place erupted in laughter. There was no hiding place. I said, ‘Should I say that again?’ And people laughed again.'”
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If Charles knows anything about Welsh history, he’ll also know that it’s time to give the title Prince of Wales back to the Welsh people. No more English Princes of Wales.
Arise Sir Huw Brownose
It’s not the man, it’s the title. For instance, I will be sad at the passing of Elizabeth Windsor, I will not mourn (nor celebrate when asked to) the Queen of England. The office and position of Prince of Wales must be abolished or returned to the appropriate descendent of the House of Aberffraw. A constitutional Republic would be my choice for our future, but as long as we gain our independence, I’ll take what we can get (then advocate and vote for my preferred positions).
Agree!
Who wishes to have a gong!
The royal family is actually more popular in Wales than in most of England. Look at the street party’s!
Even if huw is living in England now, he’s correct in this observation.
If Wales is going to be full of pro-monarch street parties then I despair of my fellow Welsh citizens. Of course it is possible that our fellow citizens like a street party and covertly support Republic’s “Make Elizabeth the Last” campaign. Perhaps we should attend a few and see how many participants have the Republic mechanidise (Mugs, badges and Tee shirts). If you did not know that such stuff existed just look up Republic on Google. They also have a good book, “The Myth of British Monarchy” which is a must read is you wonder about why the UK still… Read more »
I was astounded when my Mam said after E2 goes we should go our own way.
This, from a formerly very loyal subject. What is going on?
Sorry Huw, but how can you say that can’t fault’ how Charles has done the job of Prince of Wales? This is a man who was made Prince of Wales in 1969. and proclaimed during his investiture speech that he would effectively die for Wales , then spent the next 40 yrs living between England & Scotland wearing a bloody kilt! Huw Edwards obviously isn’t aware what Charles said in the past. And how in the late 90s in an interview to ITV Wales news presenter Lucy Cohen (Owen) when she sheepishly asked him about his commitment to Wales lamely… Read more »
OK, he’s tried his best in the position and doesn’t seem to be a bad guy, on the whole. However, he has to be the last Prince of Wales. I’m surprised such a position has been kept for so long, how degrading for a nation. Upon independence (yes, it will come) we can decide if we want to keep the monarchy or not. If we have any sense we’ll banish the lot of them to history.
Beth bydde ymateb Hywel Teifi, tybed Huw?
This is of course utter nonsense. Charles has not learned Welsh. He learned how to parrot a speech written for him more than 50 years ago. He has done nothing that I have noticed to promote anything Welsh when travelling to other parts of the world. And I do not recall him supporting any Welsh institutions in any sustained or meaningful way.
By the way, where does the criminal investigation into his conduct in the Mahfouz bin Mahfouz cash-for-honours scandal stand? Will he be prosecuted? Or will he use his get out of jail free card?
Like most Royalist lickspittles, Huw clearly doesn’t understand the Republican movement. Which is in fact disUK wide. It is NOT the synonymous with the movement for a free Cymru. We (Republicans) simply see having a feudal monarchy in the 21st century as a pointless expensive anachronism. We don’t deny that some Royals have performed very well in their highly privileged, massively overpaid, pampered lives and easy jobs. Credit to them for that. But it is not a job worth doing. Well done Prince Charles for doing a job well that a lettuce could do equally well. A grateful nation thanks… Read more »