Grumpy Prince Charles calls media ‘bloody people'

KLOSTERS, Switzerland - For a man about to marry the love of his life, Britain's Prince Charles sounded distinctly grumpy yesterday in the elegant Swiss ski resort of Klosters.

Mumbling under his breath at a photocall with sons William and Harry, the heir to the throne was caught on the assembled microphones saying: "I hate doing this."

Confronted by a phalanx of reporters and photographers, he whispered "Bloody people!"

The royal party traditionally offers a carefully stage-managed photocall on the slopes in return for being left alone when they go skiing in Klosters every spring.

This year, however, the unwritten agreement has already broken down, with paparazzi snapping William together with his girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Charles's marriage next week to his longtime lover Camilla Parker Bowles has been dogged by setbacks.

The venue had to be switched from Windsor Castle to the local town hall in a mix-up over marriage licenses, Queen Elizabeth refused to attend her son's wedding and constitutional experts are even questioning the legality of a civil ceremony.

- REUTERS