Quotes

It seems to me that music is a fascinating phenomenon because, on the one hand, it is a truly universal language that knows no barriers of origin, creed or circumstance, and therefore has the capacity to engage us all. On the other, its expression and enjoyment is entirely personal, and so often the memory of a particular piece of music is bound up with an event in our lives.

[on environmental issues, 2013] I don't want to be confronted by my future grandchild and have them say, 'Why didn't you do something?' It makes it ever more obvious to try and make sure we leave them something that isn't a total poisoned chalice.

The whole imposing edifice of modern medicine is like the celebrated tower of Pisa - slightly off balance.

We would never comment on private correspondence.

Something as curious as the monarchy won't survive unless you take account of people's attitudes. After all, if people don't want it, they won't have it.

You have to give this much to the Luftwaffe: when it knocked down our buildings it did not replace them with anything more offensive than rubble. We did that.

Father told me that if I ever met a lady in a dress like yours, I must look her straight in the eyes.

All the time I feel I must justify my existence.

I'd rather go by bus.

Your greatest achievement is to love me.

Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress?

Hong Kong has created one of the most successful societies on Earth.

I believe passionately that everyone has a particular God-given ability.

I learned the way a monkey learns - by watching its parents.

I sometimes wonder if two thirds of the globe is covered in red carpet.

That's called a microphone. It's a big sausage that picks up everything you say - and you're starting early.

[at the death of the Queen Mother, in 2002] Oh, how I shall miss her laugh and wonderful wisdom. Ever since I was a child I adored her. She was quite simply the most magical grandmother you could possibly have.

[on climate change sceptics] The headless chicken brigade.

It is baffling, I must say, that in our modern world we have such blind trust in science and technology that we all accept what science tells us about everything - until, that is, it comes to climate science. All of a sudden, and with a barrage of sheer intimidation, we are told by powerful groups of deniers that the scientists are wrong and we must abandon all our faith in so much overwhelming scientific evidence.

[on the similarities between Baroness Thatcher and Joan of Arc] Both strong women, possessed of an unshakeable righteous zeal, and both, ultimately, burnt by the English.

At the end of the day, the primary purpose of capitalism should surely be to serve the wider long-term interests and concerns of humanity rather than the other way around.

[on Bob Geldof] He has missed his vocation in life. He should have been a general.

[to the Minister of the Environment] I particularly hope that the illegal fishing of the Patagonian toothfish will be high on your list of priorities, because until the trade is stopped, there is little hope for the poor old albatross.

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

[joking about his fears that his legacy as king could be cut short] Impatient? Me? What a thing to suggest! Yes of course I am. I'll run out of time soon. I shall have snuffed it if I'm not careful.