For this remarkable study of the heir to the throne, Jonathan Dimbleby was given unprecedented access to his subject. As well as spending many hours in wide-ranging and candid conversation with Prince Charles, the author has interviewed at length scores of people, including his personal staff and close friends, most of whom have never talked openly about the Prince before.

He has also drawn freely from the Prince's own archives, including more than 10,000 letters, private journals and diaries, none of which has hitherto been made public.