It would seem that it is a king’s privilege to be able to make exacting requests when travelling to ensure a comfortable stay.
But even the most demanding visitors may not have thought of bringing the home comforts that are said to be on King Charles‘ list of travel necessities.
Investigative journalist Tom Bower previously claimed that King Charles does not travel light, with one of his go-to luggage fillers apparently being his own toilet seat.
His biography of Prince Charles, Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles, suggested that Charles once sent a truck full of furniture to replace fittings in guest rooms ahead of a visit to a friend in the North East.
Investigative journalist Tom Bower claimed that Charles took his own toilet seat on a trip to the North East
In among the collection of items was his own orthopedic bed, linen, Laphroaig whisky, bottled water and rolls of Kleenex Premium Comfort lavatory paper as well as his own lavatory seat.
To make himself feel even more at home, Charles is even said to have packed two landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
The royal was said to travel with a line of staff including a butler, two valets, chef, private secretary, typist and bodyguards, one of whom was spotted carrying his cushion as he got off a plane to ensure maximum comfort.
Even his security staff were said to help with the complex the arrangements, with his personal policeman bringing a flask filled with a pre-prepared martini which they would hand over to the hosts’ butler with Charles’ personal glass.
The requirements however do not stop at drinks and, unlike the late Queen who would eat the same as the rest of her company, an aide would bring over a bag with Charles’ food during a meal, it has been claimed.
The King responded to the claim during an interview on Australian radio in 2019 with ‘don’t believe all that c**p’
His then director of communications, Julian Payne, posted an comment on Twitter from Australia next to a photo of Charles and Camilla greeting well-wishers saying that the couple had ‘0 personal loo seats’
But when asked during an interview on Australian radio in 2018 about claims that he travels with his own toilet seat, Charles shocked listeners with his bold response.
‘My own what? Oh don’t believe all that c**p,’ he replied.
The radio crew from Hit105 took the opportunity to verify Charles’ answer with his wife Camilla, asking: ‘So he doesn’t carry his own toilet seat when he travels?’
‘Don’t you believe that!’ the Queen Consort said.
Visiting Australia with Camilla for the opening of the Commonwealth Games, Charles’s then director of communications Julian Payne made sure Twitter knew the truth about the royal’s travel habits.
Next to a photograph of Charles and Camilla being greeted by well-wishers in Brisbane, Payne wrote: ‘The Prince and The Duchess’s tour of Australia and Vanuatu begins: 30 engagements, 7 days, 1 Commonwealth Games, 0 personal loo seats.’
Tom Bower told the Daily Mail: ‘I am delighted to hear that Prince Charles has nothing to fear from Australian lavatory seats.’