King Charles in his own words: Memorable quotes from his decades as heir to the throne

He was the longest-serving Prince of Wales in British history.

Across seven decades he had played this role, marrying and separating from Princess Diana, becoming a father to Princes William and Harry, and making a name for himself with his campaigning on the environment and climate change.

Here is a selection of his most famous quotes and speeches.

July 1969: Investiture speech

On 1 July 1969, the Queen invested her oldest son Charles as the Prince of Wales in a lavish ceremony watched by people around the world.

Speaking about the ceremony at Caernarfon Castle, Charles, then aged 20, said: "I feel that it is a very impressive ceremony. I know perhaps some people would think it is rather anachronistic and out of place in this world, which is perhaps somewhat cynical."

He added in Welsh that he would associate himself in "word and deed with as much of the life of the principality as possible".

February 1981: Diana engagement interview - 'Whatever love means'

The Prince of Wales and a 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer famously gave an interview to announce their engagement in February 1981 at Buckingham Palace.

It was one standout comment made by Charles, however, that would foreshadow the demise of their marriage.

When asked if they were in love, Diana said, "Of course", to which Charles replied, "Whatever 'in love' means".

March 1983: Charles writes about Diana on tour in Australia and New Zealand

In 1983, Diana the Princess of Wales undertook her first overseas tour with Prince Charles, aged just 22.

Writing to a relative about the experience, Prince Charles said: "The crowds which have turned out to see her - and assault her with flowers - have been enormous by Australian standards.

"Officials say they are the biggest since my mama came in 1954... I worry so much about what I have landed her in at such an impressionable age - the intensity of interest must be terrifying for her."

September 1986: Talking to plants

Prince Charles's relationship with the natural world was well-documented, most famously in a 1986 interview where he admitted to talking to plants.

He said: "I just come and talk to the plants, really - very important to talk to them. They respond."

June 1994: Admits adultery

Prince Charles sat down for a ground-breaking interview with ITV in 1994 in which he was asked about the rumours over his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles.

He was asked if he tried to be "faithful and honourable" to Diana by journalist Jonathan Dimbleby.

He answered, "Yes, absolutely," but in a candid moment later in the interview, he added: "Yes… until [the marriage] became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried."

August 1998: Geri Halliwell leaves the Spice Girls

Prince Charles had a strong reaction to Geri Halliwell leaving the Spice Girls back in 1998.

In a private letter to the singer, he wrote: "The group will not be the same without you... what will I do without your wonderfully friendly greeting?"

April 2005: Microphone gaffe - 'I can't bear that man'

Prince Charles famously let slip a rude comment about a journalist in 2005, when he was unwittingly caught out by a microphone.

The faux pas happened during a photo call in Klosters ski resort in the Swiss Alps, when the Prince of Wales was asked about his upcoming wedding to Camilla.

Prince Charles, who was posing with sons William and Harry, was asked about his feelings ahead of the big day by BBC's royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell. Somewhat sarcastically, the Prince of Wales replied: "I'm very glad you heard of it anyway."

Then, microphones and cameras picked up Charles muttering under his breath: "Bloody people. I can't bear that man. He's so awful. He really is."

July 2009: Just 96 months left to save the planet

Back in 2009, Prince Charles calculated that society had just 96 months left to save the world from the runaway impacts of rising temperatures.

He delivered the 33rd Richard Dimbleby Lecture to an audience at St James's Palace in which he warned the "age of convenience" was over.

"We face the dual challenges of a world view and an economic system that seem to have enormous shortcomings, together with an environmental crisis - including that of climate change - which threatens to engulf us all," he said.

November 2010: William and Kate's engagement

Prince William and Kate Middleton publicly announced their engagement in November 2010.

Their courtship, which began when the pair were students studying at the University of St Andrews, was infamously a long one.

Prince Charles referred to the length of time it had taken William to propose when asked about the news.

"They have been practising long enough," he joked.

November 2018: 'A meddling monarch? I'm not that stupid'

Prince Charles dismissed claims he would be a "meddling monarch" on his ascent to the throne in a landmark BBC interview to mark his 70th birthday.

Asked if his campaigning style on issues like climate change, poverty and architecture would influence his role, he said: "I'm not that stupid. I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign."

He added: "The idea somehow that I'm going to go on in exactly the same way, if I have to succeed, is complete nonsense… because the two situations are completely different."

April 2021: 'I will miss my father enormously'

Buckingham Palace confirmed the sad news of Prince Philip's death with a statement shared on behalf of the entire Royal Family.

But the Prince of Wales sent his own heartfelt statement reflecting his love for his father.

"As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously," he said.

He added: "My dear Papa was a very special person who I think above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him…

"It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time."

February 2022: 'My darling wife'

In a statement to mark 70 years since she ascended the throne, the Queen unexpectedly said that on her son's ascension, she would approve for Camilla to be given the title of Queen Consort.

"In the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," she said.

It put an end to years of uncertainty around Camilla's role within the monarchy and contradicted a Buckingham Palace statement in 2005 that claimed she would be known as Princess Consort instead.

In his statement, Charles appeared extremely humbled by his mother's announcement and praised his "darling wife".

"We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother's wish," he said.

"As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout."