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On Prince Charles' 70th birthday, the new family portrait speaks of familial bliss

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Nov 14, 2018, 04:25 PM IST
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Photograph:(Twitter)

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In one of the photos, the family seemed to be laughing at one of the inside jokes. 

As a part of his 70th birthday celebration, UK's Prince Charles posed for a series of family portrait along with family. The photo has him posing with his wife, Duchess Of Cornwall Camilla Parker, his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, their respective wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, and his grandchildren and speak of all kinds of familial bond. 

The two photos that have been released on official handle of the Clarence house, has the family posing in Clarence house gardens with both Charles and Camila seated with their grandkids- George and Charlotte while Kate, standing at the back with husband William, Harry and Meghan, is seen holding her third child Louis in her arms. 

In one of the photos, the family seemed to be laughing at one of the inside jokes. 

To mark his birthday, he will attend a special tea party heralding 70 inspirational people who also turned 70 this year, before heading to a private function for friends and family hosted by the queen. 

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As Britain`s heir apparent, Charles has waited longer than any of his predecessors to become monarch and would be the oldest king in a lineage that dates back 1,000 years. 

Charles has used his position to campaign on issues including climate change, architecture and farming, often raising prescient concerns about the environment, his supporters say. 

"When my mama succeeded and became queen and my grandfather died so young, aged 57, I ended up becoming heir to the throne aged four," Charles said in a BBC documentary aired last week.

"You have to make of it what you feel is right - there`s nothing laid down so that`s what makes it so interesting, challenging and of course complicated."

However, critics have accused him of inappropriate interfering because British monarchs are bound by Britain`s unwritten constitution to stay out of politics. 

In last week`s documentary, Charles said he would stop "meddling" in campaigns which he felt strongly about. 

"I`m not that stupid," he said. "I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign." 

In the BBC film, William said he hoped his hard-working father would spend more time with his grandchildren.

"Now he`s reached his 70th year, it`s a perfect time to consolidate a little bit as most families would do; you are worried about having them around, making sure their health`s OK," he said. "He`s the fittest man I know but equally I want him to be fit so he`s 95 going on, so having more time with him at home would be lovely."

However, William acknowledged that Charles still believed he had much to achieve.

"He hasn`t even reached the point that his natural progression should do - ie being monarch - so he`s still got his job to do," he said.

(With agency inputs)