Former Royal staffer reveals what it's like to work for King Charles
The British Royals are one of the most influential families in the world, but despite living their lives completely in the spotlight, behind palace walls the family remain notoriously tight-lipped.
However, Colleen Harris had a front-row seat to some of the British Royal family’s most defining moments, when she accepted the role of then-Prince Charles′ press secretary.
Colleen Harris came into the fold at a crucial time in the British Royal family's lives. Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Images
It was in the months following Princess Diana’s tragic death when the former government agency staffer was invited to the Palace for a cup of tea.
And she told Today in the years she has known the now King Charles, his passion for causes close to his heart has not wavered.
“There was this awful image and a lot of pressure at the time and he was scrutinised quite a bit and criticized for everything that he did… he couldn’t do right,” Colleen said of the pressure King Charles faced from the public following Diana’s death.
“And it was at a time when he was talking about a lot of the things that really mattered to him, around the environment, education and farming and he was criticized around all those things and ridiculed for them,” Colleen said.
“But those were the things that really mattered to him and interestingly, they still matter to him today.”
Colleen has since stepped down from the role, but she still sees the same drive and passion from the King, even with his cancer battle and stresses with his brother, Andrew and younger son, Harry.
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“Interestingly, what I see is very much the same man I met all those years ago,” she said.
“He is very true to his principles and beliefs and those values around the environment, education and communities - they matter to him.”
Colleen is coming to Australia to speak at the P World Crisis Communications Bootcamp in Sydney on 25-26 June.
Tickets are still available to the speaking event and you can watch Today’s full interview with the former Royal press secretary in the video above.
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