Prince Charles, whose aides have revealed his determination not to be silenced as king, will become the first of the senior royals to venture into a Google+ Hangout on Thursday, a live webchat from his home at Clarence House in London, with four teenagers from different parts of the UK.
He is unlikely to get a savage grilling: the half-hour interview will be hosted by Alex Jones from the BBC’s One Show, and as patron of a social action campaign, Step Up To Serve, Charles will focus on social responsibility and community values.
His sons William and Harry tested the water for him earlier this year, when they became the first royals to join a Hangout, speaking from Buckingham Palace with young people from five Commonwealth countries. Both wore formal suits, collars and ties, and initially looked as relaxed as ironing boards. Harry was the first to engage with viewers, noting: “I know it’s different times of the day or night all over the place,” before being overcome by a bout of coughing.
On Thursday their father will be joined at Clarence House by George Fielding, a university student and charity worker who was born with cerebral palsy, and was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s birthday honours earlier this year, and others including the army cadet Jacob Boyzile.
Joining online will be Jordan Caldwell from Northern Ireland, Hannah Palmer-Davis from the Isle of Wight, Devan Witter from Yorkshire and Sarah Shaikh from Surrey.
The Hangout will also be live on the British Monarchy YouTube channel.
