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Prince Charles will take over as king when Queen Elizabeth II, 94, can no longer serve but that may yet be several years from now. As Charles celebrates his 72nd birthday on November 14, a royal commentator has shared his thoughts on what has been an extraordinary year for the future king.

From contracting COVID-19 in March and thankfully coming through it having suffered only minor symptoms, to taking pride in his son Prince William’s work to tackle climate change, Prince Charles is also behind several successful projects that put him on “the right side of history”, a royal expert has claimed.

Reflecting on the Prince’s 72d year, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “The last year will mark 50 years since Prince Charles’s first major speech on the environment and this is an issue which has now become mainstream and on which he continues to campaign with zeal.

“He will have taken particular pleasure in William’s launching of the Earthshot Prize, which is a huge endeavour to help find solutions for the environmental challenges the planet faces.

“His recovery from COVID-19 after suffering mild symptoms was a source of relief to the nation, especially considering he is in the older age group who are the most affected by the virus.”

Prince Charles made an important diplomatic visit to Israel and the occupied territories in January which was cemented his status as an effective diplomatic envoy.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “His visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, regarded as a diplomatic minefield, was regarded as a considerable success.”

According to the royal commentator, Charles will “take pleasure” in the way his wife of 15 years Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has adapted and grown into her role as a working royal.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “He will take pleasure in the way the Duchess of Cornwall has performed her duties.”

In January the monarchy was dealt an unprecedented blow when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their plans to quit the Royal Family.

Charles was central in helping come up with a suitable exit deal for the couple that was thrashed out during a meeting at Sandringham.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “He was also involved in the Sandringham Summit with Harry and Meghan choosing a very different path from that which had been envisaged which caused a sudden crisis for the monarchy.”

The royal expert claimed Charles may feel his greatest achievement since coming of age is the work done by his charity the Prince’s Trust that continues to help young people across the UK to this day.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “As he celebrates his 72nd birthday, he will take particular pleasure in the knowledge that his most famous charity, the Prince’s Trust, has now helped a million young people.”

He added: “This is a major part of his truly remarkable charitable legacy.”

On Sunday Prince Charles and Camilla will round off a week of Remembrance commemorations by heading to Berlin where they will mark Germany’s national day of mourning.

According to Mr Fitzwilliams, the trip holds huge “historic” significance, he said: “His speech to the Bundestag on Sunday will be historic.”

What’s next for Prince Charles?

While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some royal projects to a halt there is hope that next year some of them will be able to return.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “In the coming months Charles will also be preparing for the UN Climate Change Conference which will take place in Glasgow next November having been postponed owing to COVID-19. “

Mr Fitzwilliams claims Charles has made the most of his “uniquely long period in waiting to be king.”

He said: “Though his private life has been particularly controversial, his uniquely long period in waiting to be king has been occupied in creating a role which has been of enormous benefit to others who are less fortunate and to campaigns which have usually been on the right side of history.”

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