‘It’s terribly sad’: Prince Charles opens up on missing grandchildren

For many grandparents, one of the hardest parts of the coronavirus lockdown has been not being able to see their grandchildren — and that’s exactly how Prince Charles feels. In a rare interview with Sky News, the doting grandfather-of-four, 71, opened up about missing his grandchildren and other family members during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Prince of Wales revealed it has been a long time since he was able to spend time with his father Prince Phillip. “Well, I haven’t seen my father for a long time,” he said. “He’s going to be 99 next week, so yes, or my grandchildren or anything. I’ve been doing the Facetime, it’s all very well but… .”

Asked how he’s coping, he explained: “Well, it’s terribly sad, let alone one’s friends. But fortunately, at least you can speak to them on telephones and occasionally do this sort of thing. But it isn’t the same, is it? You really want to give people a hug.”

The Prince of Wales has given an exclusive interview to Sky's royal correspondent @SkyRhiannon about the challenges and opportunities we all face #AfterThePandemic

The full interview will be shown tonight at 8pm.

Watch a preview here 👇 pic.twitter.com/GTuWLvxKBm

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 4, 2020

Prince Charles also opened up about his own diagnosis with coronavirus, saying: “I was lucky in my case and got away with it quite lightly. But I’ve had it, and I can so understand what other people have gone through. I feel particularly for those who have lost their loved ones and have been unable to be with them at the time. That to me is the most ghastly thing.”

The heir to the throne has been self-isolating in Scotland with his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, while his parents Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth have been isolating at Windsor Castle. Meanwhile, Prince William and Catherine have been self-isolating at their home Anmer Hall in Norfolk amid the pandemic with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. While Harry and Meghan recently relocated to Los Angeles with one-year-old son Archie.

Prince Charles has a strong bond with his grandchildren. Just last month, royal watchers expressed their delight over a never-before-seen photograph of Prince George, which could be seen behind Charles as he delivered an update on his health after testing positive for Covid-19.

Many speculated at first that the young tot may be Charles’ youngest grandchild Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, others pointed out that it was actually more likely to be a snap of his cousin, Prince George. One follower commented: “How beautiful that you have a photo of Prince George on the background. Get well soon.”