Prince Charles returns to place that holds painful memories of near death experience and tragic loss for bittersweet getaway
Prince Charles returned to a place that holds painful memories of near death experience and tragic loss for a bittersweet getaway after recovering from Covid-19.
- Prince Charles returned to Klosters ski resort for a short break after recovering from Covid-19.
- The Prince of Wales once endured a near death experience in the Swiss mountains and suffered the loss of a friend during a freak accident in his youth.
- This royal news comes after it was revealed Kate Middleton sparked ‘jealousy’ at home during work trip without Prince William and the kids.
Prince Charles has enjoyed a bittersweet break to a holiday resort that still holds painful memories 34 years on.
The Prince of Wales is reported to have travelled to the Swiss resort of Klosters to enjoy a getaway before continuing with his official duties, having been forced to self-isolate with Covid-19 last month.
But the trip will have, no doubt, evoked painful memories from the fatal skiing accident that took place there in the 1980's when Charles was on holiday with close friends.
At the time, Prince Charles narrowly avoided death during an avalanche at the resort that claimed the life of Major Hugh Lindsay - a close friend of Charles' and an aide to his mother Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana were on the trip at the time of the freak accident but only Charles was on the slope during the avalanche that tragically killed Hugh, who was found after a rigorous search. He was pronounced dead at a hospital in Davos, Switzerland.
And according to the Mail on Sunday, Prince Charles travelled back to the resort after completing self-isolation from his positive Covid test, ahead of what will be the 34th anniversary of the tragedy on March 10th.
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In 1994, Prince Charles recalled the terrifying moment during a documentary. He said, "The next thing I heard was Bruno's voice shouting 'Jump.' This vast, roaring mound of snow in vast blocks came crashing down round us. I'd never seen anything so terrifying in my life. A staggering maelstrom."
Prince Charles narrowly escaped death and was airlifted off the slope but sadly his friend and former equerry to the Queen Major Hugh Lindsay was killed.
When the avalanche occurred, Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, who was Prince Andrew's wife at the time, were both in their chalet in Davos.
Royal biographers claimed the incident marked a turning point in Prince Charles and Diana's marriage, with author Tina Brown declaring that the tragedy served as a "wedge, not a bridge" for the couple.
In her book The Diana Chronicles, Tina wrote, "Diana blamed Charles for his recklessness in choosing such a hazardous run."
And royal biographer James Whitaker supported her sentiment in his book Diana vs. Charles: Royal Blood Feud. He wrote, "The day the Klosters avalanche was triggered was the day Diana finally hardened her heart against her husband."
In the early 2000's Prince Charles returned to Klosters with his children Prince William and Prince Harry and posed for official royal photographs.
But the Swiss ski resort is one of happier memories for Prince William as then-girlfriend Kate Middleton was pictured with him for the very first time in 2004.
Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)