We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Broadcaster Bush Hager, 40, the daughter of former American president George W Bush, was one of scores invited to a back tie function in aid of the Prince’s Foundation, his charitable organisation.

She had travelled to Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, for US network NBC but a long-planned interview set for last Thursday was abruptly cancelled as it became clear the Queen’s health was failing. 

The night before, Bush Hager dined with Charles who she said had no inkling of the seismic events that were about to unfold.

His wife Camilla, now Queen Consort, was unable to be at the function as her flight was delayed. 

No one knew, least of all Charles, that less than 24-hours later the Queen, 96, would die at Balmoral, sending shockwaves across Britain and the world.

Recalling an ebullient Charles in his element, surrounded by friends and supporters, she said: “He [Charles] said: ‘My darling wife is so sad, she can’t wait to sit down with you tomorrow.

“And so, you know, I think it was a surprise. I mean, we had a wonderful evening filled with conversation that felt joyful and so I think this was sort of a surprise.”

Early the next day – one of the most significant in recent history – Bush Hager was preparing to speak to Charles in the library.

But the calm was shattered by a rush of activity and noise, before a helicopter arrived to whisk him away moments after the news had been relayed to him on an emergency phone call.

She said: “The next morning we were setting up the interview. We were there at 8.30am, the interview was supposed to start around 2pm or 2.30pm, I was supposed to meet with the now Queen Consort around 1.30pm.

“At 12.30pm we heard sort of running up and down the halls and it was her team and his team. They came in and said can you please be quiet there’s a call — we were right by then Prince Charles’s, now King Charles III’s, office. And then all of a sudden we heard a helicopter. They said the Queen is ill and they have gone and rushed off to be with her.”

Bush Hager, married to executive Henry Chase Hager, has enjoyed a long relationship with Charles and Camilla, dating back to her father’s stint in the White House. 

Her relationship with her future husband, whom she married at the Bush family estate in Crawford, Texas, in 2008, first became public when they appeared together at a presidential dinner for Charles and Camilla three years earlier. 

Also at Dumfries House, a Palladian country estate that serves as the headquarters for the Prince’s Foundation, was Daily Express columnist and ambassador Alan Titchmarsh, 73. 

He too had no idea of the momentous news that was about to erupt. And at the end of a memorable night of food, music and entertainment, Charles even invited the celebrity gardener for afternoon tea. 

Of the previous evening’s black tie reception he recalled: “The candles caused the silver candelabra to sparkle, delicious locally grown food was accompanied by fine wines. For the first two courses, the Prince spoke to an American lady, Michelle, on his right, one of the benefactors of the Jamaican project. For pudding, he turned to Jenna Bush Hager on his left to enquire about a film she is making on the work of the Foundation.”

“We took coffee afterwards in a tapestry-lined gallery while two musicians played us a couple of jaunty Scottish airs on a guitar and penny whistle.”

“The Prince tapped his foot in time with the music before giving the man on the whistle a bottle of scotch and the woman on the guitar a bottle of champagne, chatting casually to both.”

“The recital was short, the applause genuine, and after making his way around the room, shaking hands with almost everyone there, smiling, thanking them for coming and encouraging them in their endeavours, the Prince headed for the exit.”

“Because I stood by the door, he shook my hand last of all and said: “Come and see us soon for tea.”

“I thanked him and he left the room as Duke of Rothesay, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and assorted other titles, unaware he was doing so for the very last time. He was happy; it had been a good day.”

“The next day, he woke up early as usual, but by the middle of the afternoon those ancient appellations would be redistributed among more junior members of his family. Prince William became Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. Prince Charles would have but one title: the King.”

Alan added: “As a friend of his and a staunch admirer of his tenacity and sincerity, I wish him God speed in his quest. I say, with all my heart and not a hint of embarrassment: God Save the King!”

Source: Read Full Article