I’m running out of time: Charles

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Longest-waiting heir to the British throne Prince Charles for the first time has expressed his feeling of “running out of time,” showing signs that he is more eager than ever to be king. In a series of remarkably candid comments, 64-year-old Prince Charles hinted that he feared his legacy as king would be cut short as he has already waited for 60 years of his life to succeed Queen Elizabeth II.

During a visit to Dumfries House, the stately home in East Ayrshire which the Prince helped save for the nation, he joked about his reputation for pursuing projects with notorious vigour but made a poignant reference to his mortality, the Daily Telegraph reported.

He said: “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,” he added. The comments, which were recorded for a film on the Clarence House website about the Prince’s involvement with Dumfries House, will fuel ongoing speculation that Prince Charles is more eager than ever to take the throne.

In 2008, he became the longest-waiting heir to the throne in British history, overtaking his great-great grandfather, Edward VII. While royal aides insist that he is fulfilled by his current role as heir apparent, supporting the Queen and being actively involved with the Prince’s Trust and his numerous other charities, many royal commentators have suggested that he feels frustrated his reign has not yet begun.