Charles, Prince of Wales, turns fifty on November 14, 1998. Since the tragic death of Princes Diana, his public and private lives have been in more turmoil than ever. Britain's leading authority on the prince is Anthony Holden, who has written two previous biographies of Charles.

His third book presents a divorced prince, now a widower, facing a stark choice: his children, the love of his life or the throne - or, by trying to have all three, playing a dangerous long-term game that could threaten the future of the monarchy itself.

Holden traces the seeds of Charles's adult character in his childhood and youth but does not flinch from criticism in recounting how Charles reached his current dilemma as a single parent in love with a woman he may never be able to marry. Though Diana's death has created a wave of public sympathy for him - which may yet see him a popular king - can the private Charles ever find happiness without the help and support of the woman he loves?