PRINCE OF WHEELS
Prince Charles grins as he hops on a bike after Harry’s claims he never went on rides with his dad
PRINCE Charles was seen grinning from ear to ear today as he hopped on a bike for a charity cycle - just months after Prince Harry claimed they never went on rides together.
The Prince of Wales, 72, kicked off the British Asian Trust's 'Palaces on Wheels' tour at his Highgrove home today, telling journalists he hadn't cycled for years.
🔵 Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest updates
8
8
The future King joked with bystanders that he hoped he wouldn't "bump into" them, after telling cyclists they proved why he didn't wear lycra.
As he gripped the handlebars of his bike, Charles said: “I haven’t worked out the gears.
"I hope I don’t bump into you or get stuck behind you later on.”
He was fronting more than 30 riders who set off on a 400km journey in aid of the British Asian Trust (BAT).
The hardy cyclists will stop at a number of royal residences along the way, including Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Sandringham.
And it comes just months after Prince Harry said he was never able to go on cycles when he was young.
The Duke of Sussex said during his bombshell Oprah interview in March: "To have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie and go for walks as a family and with the dogs.
"All of these things are just—I guess the highlight for me is sticking him on the back of a bicycle in his little baby seat and taking him on bike rides which is something I was never able to do when I was young.
"I can seat him on the back and he's got his arms out and he's like 'woah'."
8
8
But unearthed pictures later showed a number of occaisions Harry, 36, was on a bike with his dad.
In one, at Sandringham in 1990, he is in a seat on the back of Prince Charles' bicycle, with his brother William pedalling along beside them.
And in a much older black and white snap, Charles is seen towing a small Prince Harry in a cart off the back of his bike near Balmoral Castle.
Prince Charles today said he hadn't cycled in "years" but admitted he had had a practice a week ago.
Earlier, he jokingly told the riders after seeing them in tight fitting riding gear that they were "a very good demonstration of why I don't wear Lycra!"
"It's a nightmare getting into it," he added.
And he got a fit of the giggles when he was handed a tiny Lycra top by Rohit Chadda, one of the organisers of the charity ride.
8
8
"Oh, have we got the wrong one?" Mr Chadda joked at Charles's bemused expression.
"I mean, I have heard about Lycra," he said, stretching the top comically, "but really!"
Their path was lined by Indian Dhol drummers and the prince quickly warmed up and sped off down the lane leading to his home.
The future King and Harry are said to be in "regular contact" following the birth of Harry's daughter Lilibet last week.
Sources told the that Charles has been speaking to his youngest son regularly - and that their relationship has turned a corner since his grandaughter's birth.
Meanwhile, it's said that the Royal Family is keen to bring the Duke and Duchess of Sussex back into the fold.
Most read in News
Charles appeared in high spirits today as he laughed with cyclists, but only joined them for a short distance.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
BAT chief executive Richard Hawkes said: "The prince is constantly thinking of what can be done and how he can be involved in getting help to those who need it. And to agree to get on a bike and do his bit today is fantastic."
The British Asian Trust was founded in 2001 by Charles with a group of prominent Asian business leaders, and works to reduce poverty and disadvantage for communities in South East Asia.
8
8
Prince Edward says Harry and Meghan Markle royal fallout is 'difficult for everyone' but 'that's families for you'
Topics