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Born to Be King: Prince Charles on Planet Windsor
A provocative, surprising, and utterly fresh portrait of Charles, Prince of Wales He is one of the world's most fascinating and least understood now sixty-six, Prince Charles has spent his entire life preparing to be king while insisting on being his own man. In this brilliant portrait, he emerges as a complex character driven by a painful past, a questing intellect, and a powerful impulse not only to reshape the monarchy but to use the long wait for the throne to work toward high ideals. Based on exclusive interviews with members of Charles's inner circle and on rare access to the Prince himself, this revelatory biography takes us deep into the royal sphere―a world of its own that Catherine Mayer calls Planet Windsor―and shows us the skullduggery and unintentional comedy of court life. At the same time, it provides a clear-eyed view of Charles's struggles and his achievements as a philanthropist and activist. The book also offers a fundamental reappraisal of one of the most documented episodes in modern history―his marriage to Diana. The reality, as with many aspects of the Prince's story, is more gripping and more poignant than we knew. Now closer than ever to achieving happiness, the Prince is still far from settled. He remains committed to bringing about social and political change, but in aiming to be a king of hearts, he often creates heartache, for himself and others. Born to Be King explains how and why Charles may redefine the role of the sovereign, even as it reveals the astonishing extent to which the Prince has already left his mark on the world.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2015
11 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Mayer
7 books19 followersCatherine Mayer is an author, journalist, activist and speaker. Her novel TIME/LIFE was published in hardback by Renard Press and as an audiobook by HarperCollins on 9 April 2025, with the paperback and ebook launching on 14 May 2025. Her next nonfiction title, Send Them Victorious: Royal Women, Their Battles and Why We Should Care, is scheduled for publication by HarperCollins in March 2026.
Her books include the best-selling biography of King Charles III, Charles: The Heart of King (first published 2015, new edition 2022): and Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly (2011), Attack of the Fifty Foot Women: How Gender Equality Can Save the World! (March 2017, paperback Feb 2018) and, with her mother Anne Mayer Bird, Good Grief: Embracing Life at a Time of Death (Dec 2020, paperback Feb 2022). She also contributed to Dear NHS (2020) and Poems that Make Grown Women Cry (2016).
She co-founded the Women’s Equality Party in 2015 and served as its president until December 2024. She is also a co-founder of Primadonna Festival.
She started her career in journalism at The Economist, went on to hold deputy editorships at Business Traveller and International Management magazines and contributed regularly to the German edition of Forbes. For 11 years she worked as a London-based correspondent for the German news weekly, FOCUS. In 2004, she joined TIME as a senior editor, and later became London Bureau Chief, Europe Editor and, finally, Editor at Large.
She ran a data and technology think tank, has written and performed one-woman shows, a two-hander with Grayson Perry, and a theatrical piece for the Globe Theatre, stood as a candidate in the 2019 European elections, has served as President of the Foreign Press Association in London and as a judge for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and co-curated the 2020 Festival of Death. She is on the founding committee of WOW-the Women of the World Festival. She has won awards for her journalism and her activism.
Since the death of her husband, the musician Andy Gill, she has released two EPs by his band Gang of Four, executive-produced the tribute album, The Problem of Leisure: A celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four, and manages his music estate.
Her books include the best-selling biography of King Charles III, Charles: The Heart of King (first published 2015, new edition 2022): and Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly (2011), Attack of the Fifty Foot Women: How Gender Equality Can Save the World! (March 2017, paperback Feb 2018) and, with her mother Anne Mayer Bird, Good Grief: Embracing Life at a Time of Death (Dec 2020, paperback Feb 2022). She also contributed to Dear NHS (2020) and Poems that Make Grown Women Cry (2016).
She co-founded the Women’s Equality Party in 2015 and served as its president until December 2024. She is also a co-founder of Primadonna Festival.
She started her career in journalism at The Economist, went on to hold deputy editorships at Business Traveller and International Management magazines and contributed regularly to the German edition of Forbes. For 11 years she worked as a London-based correspondent for the German news weekly, FOCUS. In 2004, she joined TIME as a senior editor, and later became London Bureau Chief, Europe Editor and, finally, Editor at Large.
She ran a data and technology think tank, has written and performed one-woman shows, a two-hander with Grayson Perry, and a theatrical piece for the Globe Theatre, stood as a candidate in the 2019 European elections, has served as President of the Foreign Press Association in London and as a judge for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and co-curated the 2020 Festival of Death. She is on the founding committee of WOW-the Women of the World Festival. She has won awards for her journalism and her activism.
Since the death of her husband, the musician Andy Gill, she has released two EPs by his band Gang of Four, executive-produced the tribute album, The Problem of Leisure: A celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four, and manages his music estate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 31, 2015
I tried, I really tried to finish this book but I found it boring. It was just the same stuff other biographers have said in the past. I also felt the author was trying desperately to get the reader to like Charles by telling us of his many charities he has done and all the royal duties he has performed not only his own but also for his mother. I think this book (at least to me) is a bit too late in doing so. I think if this book was written before Diana's death, I might have contemplated the thought. Unfortunately any sympathy I may have had for him went right out the window.
June 15, 2019
I am usually a reader of fiction novels and love a good mystery, family and love story, however lately I have been reading historical, biographies and autobiographies in between.
I have always had a disdain for Charles and thought he was an idiot for having an affair on Princess Diana, but I do see him in a better light as I see that he is working hard for the good of the people in England and truly cares for the well being of the economy of all.
It was an okay book.
I have always had a disdain for Charles and thought he was an idiot for having an affair on Princess Diana, but I do see him in a better light as I see that he is working hard for the good of the people in England and truly cares for the well being of the economy of all.
It was an okay book.
February 23, 2015
This book was boring... so much forth and back that I lost interest. Did not like her writing style! Also there was not much we don't already know about Charles and the royal family. So in the end there was lots of skipping through!!
July 18, 2017
One of the more even-handed bios of recent years. Very fair to Diana, and doesn't spend an inordinate amount of space on her. Doesn't make him look like a loon, but as a hard-working, well-meaning person. Certainly better than that Penny Junor nonsense.
August 1, 2018
Very interesting and balanced look at the private and public life of Prince Charles. Gives a good overview of several of his charitable works and his desire to promote positive change in the united Kingdom.
March 21, 2015
a well informed book!
August 18, 2017
I am a Diana fan.....so this book was an interesting stretch for me to read. I didn't know very much about Charles and wasn't very impressed with him before I read this book. I knew he cheated on his wife, Diana, during their marriage and I disliked him for causing so much pain to her. The author suggests that Diana and Charles both had problems beginning with a lack of love and attention in their childhoods. Diana's mother left when she was a very young girl & Charles mother became Queen when he was a young boy. The author suggests that Charles and Diana were ill equipped for marriage to one another. She did not seem to blame either party for the failure of the marriage - she felt they both had problems.
The author, Catherine Mayer, offered some interesting insights into Charles background, personality and interests. Before reading the book, I was not aware that Charles was involved in starting and raising funds for so many charitable causes. I was particularly impressed with his educational charity which attempts to provide educational opportunities for children who cannot otherwise afford a good education. He also sponsors environmental causes and organic farming. I was impressed with the amount of hours he devotes each year to his work as Prince and his charitable causes. I did not realize he had a lot of his own opinions both politically and socially & that he hopes to make significant changes when he becomes King.
About 1/2 way through this book, I began to think that Charles was perhaps misunderstood and a better guy that I thought. However, by the time I finished the book, I began to think that the book was way too "pro Charles". The author started to sound like a PR agent telling the reader why he/she should love Charles and be happy he is going to be King some day. At one point I thought she was going to start calling him "Saint Charles". I think the author tried to "sell" Charles way too much.
It was an interesting read if you want to learn more about Charles, who most likely will become King when his mother, Elizabeth, passes on. However, I would not suggest that this be the only book you read about Charles. The author is very biased toward Charles in her account. To get a more well rounded view, I would suggest reading some other books about him as well.
The author, Catherine Mayer, offered some interesting insights into Charles background, personality and interests. Before reading the book, I was not aware that Charles was involved in starting and raising funds for so many charitable causes. I was particularly impressed with his educational charity which attempts to provide educational opportunities for children who cannot otherwise afford a good education. He also sponsors environmental causes and organic farming. I was impressed with the amount of hours he devotes each year to his work as Prince and his charitable causes. I did not realize he had a lot of his own opinions both politically and socially & that he hopes to make significant changes when he becomes King.
About 1/2 way through this book, I began to think that Charles was perhaps misunderstood and a better guy that I thought. However, by the time I finished the book, I began to think that the book was way too "pro Charles". The author started to sound like a PR agent telling the reader why he/she should love Charles and be happy he is going to be King some day. At one point I thought she was going to start calling him "Saint Charles". I think the author tried to "sell" Charles way too much.
It was an interesting read if you want to learn more about Charles, who most likely will become King when his mother, Elizabeth, passes on. However, I would not suggest that this be the only book you read about Charles. The author is very biased toward Charles in her account. To get a more well rounded view, I would suggest reading some other books about him as well.
October 12, 2024
This book makes Charles out to be the most boring person in the world. It's a very boring book and it's a very long read. Charles has done a lot of amazing things with his charities and he deserves to be recognized for that but this book is far from doing that. Lots of back and forth and very hard to retain interest in reading this book. I finished the book but it was definitely a struggle.
April 2, 2022
This book takes itself way too seriously. It also has more monster analogies than you’d expect.
May 13, 2023
An interesting book. I learned several new things about him.
December 30, 2025
dry and repetitive
February 21, 2015
"Charles Philip Arthur George" is the full name of Britain's Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales. Charles is the longest waiting Prince of Wales since his great, great grandfather Edward waited for HIS mother, Queen Victoria, to shuffle off her mortal coil. Victoria was loathe to give her son many governmental responsibilities so Edward largely frittered his life away. However, when he did ascend to the throne on Victoria's death, he ruled wisely for the short period of his reign and proved a "bridge" between Victorian England and modern England. (A superb biography of Edward is Jane Ridley's recent "The Heir Apparent: The Life of Edward VII, The Playboy Prince")
But the Prince of Wales that journalist Catherine Mayer writes about in her excellent book, "Born to Be King: Prince Charles on Planet Windsor", is the current Prince. Best known, perhaps, as Diana's unloving ex-husband, the father to "the Heir and the Spare", George's grandfather, and Camilla Parker Bowles' tampon, Charles is a man whose identity is often at odds with reality.
Mayer, an American-born, UK-based writer, has gone behind the facade the world views Charles. Son of stiff and controlled parents, Charles has evolved into a caring father to his own two sons. But that emotional availability was not there with his first wife. Both Charles and Diana seemed to know their marriage would not succeed; both were needy emotionally and unable to relate to each other. Charles was as much an intellectual as the Windsor family had produced up til his generation, while Diana was both intuitive and emotional. Bad mixture, but they produced two sons who've grown into fine young men, who seem to have inherited the good qualities of both their parents.
Mayer's book is not a white-wash of the Prince of Wales. She is just as strong in pointing out his failings as she is his strengths. He has many interests - ranging from architecture to the raising of sheep to town development and job creation - but he is often a bit arbitrary in his projects and sometimes tactless in his public utterances. He oversees a wide-ranging group of charities, called the "Prince's Trust" and gives his time freely to those charities. As a man who is often at the center of gossip, he has a very small circle of trusted friends and advisers. And most of them address him as "Sir"; he keeps himself at a bit of a distance even from those he trusts. I assume his great love, Camilla, doesn't have to call him "sir", but who knows...
And Camilla Parker Bowles IS the great love of Charles' life. Their marriage comes out of the infidelity that both engaged in. But perhaps the root of the infidelity comes from the fact that Charles and Camilla should have married 40 years ago. Charles adored Camilla but wasn't allowed to marry her because Camilla had a "past". So he wed the proscribed virginal Diana and both Diana and Charles endured an unhappy marriage. His marriage to Camilla is a more mature one; both get on like the old and good friends they are.
So what does the future bring? As Catherine Mayer points out, if Charles does live to succeed his mother, his reign will probably be short. Despite the inane mutterings in the tabloids here in the United States, Charles MUST succeed his mother; she cannot bypass Charles and "give" the crown to William. The law is a successive one; the next in line is the ruler. So there will be a King Charles III and (probably) a Queen Camilla. Charles is a smart man and I'm sure his reign will be a good bridge between the long reigns of Elizabeth and William.
But the Prince of Wales that journalist Catherine Mayer writes about in her excellent book, "Born to Be King: Prince Charles on Planet Windsor", is the current Prince. Best known, perhaps, as Diana's unloving ex-husband, the father to "the Heir and the Spare", George's grandfather, and Camilla Parker Bowles' tampon, Charles is a man whose identity is often at odds with reality.
Mayer, an American-born, UK-based writer, has gone behind the facade the world views Charles. Son of stiff and controlled parents, Charles has evolved into a caring father to his own two sons. But that emotional availability was not there with his first wife. Both Charles and Diana seemed to know their marriage would not succeed; both were needy emotionally and unable to relate to each other. Charles was as much an intellectual as the Windsor family had produced up til his generation, while Diana was both intuitive and emotional. Bad mixture, but they produced two sons who've grown into fine young men, who seem to have inherited the good qualities of both their parents.
Mayer's book is not a white-wash of the Prince of Wales. She is just as strong in pointing out his failings as she is his strengths. He has many interests - ranging from architecture to the raising of sheep to town development and job creation - but he is often a bit arbitrary in his projects and sometimes tactless in his public utterances. He oversees a wide-ranging group of charities, called the "Prince's Trust" and gives his time freely to those charities. As a man who is often at the center of gossip, he has a very small circle of trusted friends and advisers. And most of them address him as "Sir"; he keeps himself at a bit of a distance even from those he trusts. I assume his great love, Camilla, doesn't have to call him "sir", but who knows...
And Camilla Parker Bowles IS the great love of Charles' life. Their marriage comes out of the infidelity that both engaged in. But perhaps the root of the infidelity comes from the fact that Charles and Camilla should have married 40 years ago. Charles adored Camilla but wasn't allowed to marry her because Camilla had a "past". So he wed the proscribed virginal Diana and both Diana and Charles endured an unhappy marriage. His marriage to Camilla is a more mature one; both get on like the old and good friends they are.
So what does the future bring? As Catherine Mayer points out, if Charles does live to succeed his mother, his reign will probably be short. Despite the inane mutterings in the tabloids here in the United States, Charles MUST succeed his mother; she cannot bypass Charles and "give" the crown to William. The law is a successive one; the next in line is the ruler. So there will be a King Charles III and (probably) a Queen Camilla. Charles is a smart man and I'm sure his reign will be a good bridge between the long reigns of Elizabeth and William.
April 9, 2015
At age 66, Prince Charles is still waiting to ascend to the throne as King of England. His life has been one of preparation and finding ways to add something of significance to his country. He is portrayed as a deep thinker and a man who truly cares about the many causes that he has adopted. His childhood was not an easy one as he has always been a very sensitive person and the schools he was made to attend were supposed to toughen him up but only resulted in scarring him. His father, Prince Philip, has always been hard on him because he wants him to be strong for when it is time for him to take over the monarchy.
The book discusses somewhat his marriage to Diana and their unhappy relationship. The large difference in their ages is one factor that made their relationship a hard one for them, however, they both had painful and sad upbringings which should have brought them together.
The author tells the reader some things about Camilla and paints her as an intelligent woman who enjoys her grandchildren, her reading and a quiet life. However, she and Charles truly seem to love one another and are happy together.
Charles is committed to doing all he can to change things to allow for more understanding socially among the people of his realm. He is also interested in technical change and in introducing more modern industrial changes to improve things.
We hear discussion all the time about whether or not he should become King or step aside in favor of his son, William. Many people feel that the youth of William and Kate will help to bring more modern ways and refresh the view of the Royals.
I do have to commend the author for not "taking sides” in her discussions of Diana and Camilla.
I found this book to have some interesting things but did not find myself being convinced that he should truly be King.
The book discusses somewhat his marriage to Diana and their unhappy relationship. The large difference in their ages is one factor that made their relationship a hard one for them, however, they both had painful and sad upbringings which should have brought them together.
The author tells the reader some things about Camilla and paints her as an intelligent woman who enjoys her grandchildren, her reading and a quiet life. However, she and Charles truly seem to love one another and are happy together.
Charles is committed to doing all he can to change things to allow for more understanding socially among the people of his realm. He is also interested in technical change and in introducing more modern industrial changes to improve things.
We hear discussion all the time about whether or not he should become King or step aside in favor of his son, William. Many people feel that the youth of William and Kate will help to bring more modern ways and refresh the view of the Royals.
I do have to commend the author for not "taking sides” in her discussions of Diana and Camilla.
I found this book to have some interesting things but did not find myself being convinced that he should truly be King.
October 20, 2015
This very recently published book about Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, is not really a comprehensive biography although it does visit many different eras of his life. Rather, it's more a look at what a typical day is like for him as the long-standing heir to the throne; his royal engagements, trips, his work as patron of various charities, his relationship with his wife and with his two sons, and of course with his mother Her Majesty the Queen.
Incidents such as the September 2014 Scottish referendum vote (a vote about seceding from the United Kingdom, which was narrowly defeated) are here, so the information is up to date.
Since Charles has been outspokan on many subjects that the monarch usually remains mum about, there is much speculation as to whether he was go silent on most subjects once he is King, or if he will pursue his interests then as he does now. He is an interesting mixture of expecting deference to him by others due to his birthright, yet wishing he were more like the ordinary Briton. As long as the Queen remains relatively healthy, Charles may have a very brief reign once he does become King of England.
**#70 of 100 books pledged to read/review during 2015**
Incidents such as the September 2014 Scottish referendum vote (a vote about seceding from the United Kingdom, which was narrowly defeated) are here, so the information is up to date.
Since Charles has been outspokan on many subjects that the monarch usually remains mum about, there is much speculation as to whether he was go silent on most subjects once he is King, or if he will pursue his interests then as he does now. He is an interesting mixture of expecting deference to him by others due to his birthright, yet wishing he were more like the ordinary Briton. As long as the Queen remains relatively healthy, Charles may have a very brief reign once he does become King of England.
**#70 of 100 books pledged to read/review during 2015**
July 31, 2015
Charles is a cad not a Prince. The jerk wouldn't marry Camilla because she wasn't fit to be the Mother of the heir and the spare. So he seduced a young girl, convinced her he loved her used her as a broodmare and once she produced the heir and the spare dumped her for the husband stealing bitch Camilla. And conveniently for Charles and Camilla, Princess Diana was killed so they could marry. Really don't understand how Diana's children can accept the woman who made their Mother's life miserable. Poor Diana never had the chance to find a man who actually loved her and enjoy a loving marriage, thanks to Charles and Camilla.
December 13, 2015
This book is new book about Prince Charles. He has been waiting forever to become King but I hope he gets bypassed and they go to William. On the plus side he is for the environment and green planet and gardening and he is involved in humanitarian causes and charity work. On the negative side he duped Diana into marrying him even though he did not love, had his heirs and dumped her. She had no clue at all, not fair to her at all. Now he has married Camilla who is an alcoholic mess. He not has much common sense on what would be good for the monarchy.
June 24, 2015
Born To Be King: Prince Charles on Planet Windsor by Catherine Mayer (Henry Holt and Company, LLC 2015) (Biography). This is a puff piece in support of the future king of England. The author posits that while Diana was not bad, Camilla is wonderful for Charles. My rating: 7/10, finished 6/23/15.
July 26, 2015
Not my favorite read but at times was quite enlightening. I like the Prince better than I thought I would. It will be very interesting to watch how it all plays out when the Queen finally passes on. I find royalty entertaining but that might be very different if I was paying their bills. Good luck to them.
May 22, 2015
While pleasant and balanced, this book was so glacially slow-moving I nearly fell asleep. We know that Prince Charles is deeply involved in sustainable organic farming but I really didn't need a recitation of the varying names of products produced on his organic sustainable farms!
March 2, 2015
Deeply tedious recitation of Prince Charles' charity work. I'm sure I'm a better person for having finished it, but it was a chore.
April 20, 2015
Very informative--Charles is very mis-understood! He has survived a very difficult childhood & is doing well !
He is smart and hardworking! And he adores his grandson George!!! :-)
He is smart and hardworking! And he adores his grandson George!!! :-)
March 25, 2015
Ok biography of Prince Charles. Pretty boring at times, I didn't even finish it.
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March 25, 2015I wish I would rate it different - but it was very boring
April 1, 2015
So boring. I felt like I was reading the same information over and over again.
April 19, 2015
After all the hubbub I was expecting a hatchet job, but the book provides a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of Prince Charles.
April 9, 2015
The author is obviously a fan. Easy to read biography of the future King.
April 13, 2015
Skimmable biography of Prince Charles, written by a former writer for The Economist who does way too much talking about the book itself and what it does.
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May 4, 2015Have to wonder why an author has a 21 page introduction? I read it. That's all I can say
August 11, 2017
Fascinating. A sympathetic well balanced biography. He has cut out a place for himself and championed many good causes. The book is Interesting take on the Prince.
July 18, 2015
Hagiography.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews