Post date: Jan 27, 2011 11:59:55 AM
Prince Charles enjoyed a joke about being called a 'Pommie Bastard' with an audience gathered to celebrate Australia Day at Australia House in London.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (JANUARY 26, 2011) ROYAL POOL - The Prince of Wales amused an audience at Australia House in London where he attended a reception for Australia Day on Wednesday (January 26).
Recalling his time in Australia he said that he had his share of being called a "Pommie bastard" while studying in Australia."A lot of people forget perhaps that aged 16 or 17 I spent six months there and learnt a hell of a lot. I was able to go round relatively privately and find out an awful lot about that part of the world and as you can imagine I have a huge affection as a result. I've been through my fair share of being called a Pommie bastard, I can assure you. Look what it's done to me. My God it was good for the character. You want to develop character, go to Australia," he said.
Charles spend six months in Australia in 1966, spending two terms as an exchange student at Timbertop, a remote outpost of the Geelong Church of England Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia.
It was during this time that Charles said he developed a deep affection for the country.
Charles also expressed sympathy for those affected by the current flooding in Australia.
"Above all else we really wanted to wish you a very special and happy Australia Day. For us it's just a great opportunity for us to join you and above all else to show solidarity, more than anything else, and huge sympathy for everything that Australia has had to go through in recent weeks, and indeed, months and for many, are going to have to endure for coming weeks particularly as I've heard the floods are encroaching slowly but surely into areas of Victoria. And of course our hearts go out particularly to all those who have lost loved ones amongst their families, who've been so incredibly, badly affected by this appalling natural disaster," he said.
The reception, held at the Australian High Commission in central London, also commemorated those killed in the natural disaster and recognised the efforts of the emergency services and the public who helped save lives, homes and businesses.
The prince, who was joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, was appearing at the invitation of the Australian High Commissioner.