PRINCE Charles seems a nice man – the kind you’d probably like as a neighbour, urbane and willing to help.

These, though, aren’t necessarily the right attributes for a modern monarch, leading to doubts about him becoming king.

While the royal family generally are practical ambassadors, the Prince strikes me as a gentle but unusual soul, slightly out of touch with ordinary life.

He says he won’t be a meddling monarch, but he can’t seem to help himself. While we’re used to a Queen who’s always avoided controversy as much as possible. Prince Charles simply seems like someone who embraces it.