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Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Lifestyle
Iris Goldsztajn

King Charles once wore a fake nose and moustache so he wouldn't be recognised

Prince Charles Wearing Joke Mask To Tease Press Photographers During A Skiing Holiday In Klosters, Switzerland

King Charles may seem like quite a serious man these days, but we have hard proof that he has also been a certified jokester in his time.

Various members of the Royal Family are known to enjoy a skiing holiday in prestigious Klosters, Switzerland, and they have struck a deal with the press that means they're left alone throughout the majority of the trip in exchange for an official photo call.

On one such occasion — in 1980 — then-Prince Charles thought he would have a little fun with it all, turning up to the photo shoot wearing a red hat and large ski goggles on his head, plus a fake nose, joke glasses, and a fluffy moustache. He looked absolutely ridiculous, which was precisely the point.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

But Charles isn't the only royal known to have had some snow-based fun involving an official photo shoot.

While Prince William and Princess Kate were enjoying a skiing holiday with George and Charlotte in the French Alps in 2016, they were joined by photographer John Stillwell, who was meant to take photos of the family skiing.

Unfortunately, it was very misty on the day of the shoot, so they had to take the pictures close to the hotel where they were staying instead.

When William asked what John wanted him to do, the photographer replied: "I'll have you walk just 30 yards away, then walk back towards me and I'll take some pictures. I'll do some full-length, some half-length, some headshots."

John continued: "He said, 'Well, OK.' I don't think he was totally convinced, but it's the best I could do.

"He walked away and as Kate started to, I just tapped her on her shoulder and I said, 'Hey, when you get down there, make a snowball, have a snowball fight, but push it into his face.'

"She went, 'Pardon?' I said, 'Just whack him in the face with a snowball.' I didn't think she'd do it, but she did! He saw the funny side of it."

And that's how we ended up with the very sweet picture below.

(Image credit: Getty Images)
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