Prince Albert reveals joke King Charles made to him about their old bachelor days

As two princes who were both bachelors in the 1970s, Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince Charles have developed a lifelong friendship. 

Albert, 65, who is married to Princess Charlene, 45, revealed that the newly crowned King joked about their strong bond at a reception attended by foreign royals and dignitaries to mark his Coronation at Buckingham Palace earlier this month. 

He dished about more behind-the-scenes Coronation anecdotes in an interview with Monaco Matin earlier this week, saying that Charles had joked to him that they were ‘old companions’ and would be put together at events because they’d be the only bachelors. 

The King was 31 when he tied the knot with his first wife, the late Princess Diana in 1981, while Albert was 53 when he wedded Princess Charlene in 2010. 

Opening up about the fun exchange him and the King had, Albert said: ‘He reminded me that we are old companions of weddings and funerals. 

The royal explained that him and Charles would often be invited to events where people attended in pairs. 

Because Charles and Albert were both often attending events stag they would be place ‘next to each other,’ he added. 

The Monaco royal added that him and the King also chatted about their common interests in the environment and conservation. 

Albert added that Charles cannot talk about this subject, which is dear to his heart, as much as he used to because he has to remain politically neutral.   

The Monaco prince and the British King have enjoyed a close relationship over the years. 

Albert was the first European royal to confirm their attendance at King Charles’ coronation, and attended the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral last September. 

Ahead of the event, back in January, he spoke fondly of the British King ahead of his 6 May coronation, calling him ‘a very educated man and someone with a great sense of humour’.

King Charles joked that Albert and him and were ‘old companions’ and would be put together at events because they’d be the only bachelors. Pictured together at the wedding of Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit in 2001

Prince Albert (right) said he has ‘maintained contact’ with His Majesty (left) but he hasn’t spoken to him since the Queen’s funeral

Charlene and Albert both attended the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 19 2022 and were among a number of European royals who did so (pictured together at the event) 

Speaking to PEOPLE, Albert confirmed he and his wife Princess Charlene would attend, adding: ‘I’m certain that it’s going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one.’

The event will be amongst the highest profile attended by Charlene since her recent illness, which saw her spending 11 months away from the Mediterranean principality in her native South Africa, undergoing treatment for an unspecified condition.

Albert added: ‘We’ve maintained contact since His Majesty became King, but I haven’t talked to him personally since the Queen’s funeral.’

The prince, who is looking forward to attending the king’s coronation, added: ‘I’m certain His Majesty will add his own ‘personal touches’ to the ceremonies, but what those will be, I’m sure I don’t know.’ 

Prince Albert went onto reveal that himself and his wife  Princess Charlene, will definitely be at the ceremony to watch the king’s crowning, however their 8-year-old twins Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella might be ‘too young’.

News of the couple’s attendance comes after Prince Albert praised his wife, Princess Charlene, for ‘turning it around in an incredible way’ after a long-running health battle.