King Charles Pays Tribute To Retiring BBC Reporter He Branded ‘Awful Man’

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (Hollie Adams/Pool Photo via AP)

King Charles extended a warm retirement message to BBC reporter Nicholas Witchell, who he infamously dubbed “an awful man” nearly two decades ago.

This gesture was shown in video at Witchell’s retirement party, according to Deadline, following the journalist’s distinguished 48-year career with the broadcaster. The message, delivered, played at the event, saw the King humorously reference the duo’s “ups and downs” over the years.

In 2005, Charles, then Prince of Wales, was caught on a hot mic expressing his disdain for Witchell during a ski trip with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. After Witchell had asked some questions, Charles replied: “Bloody people. I can’t bear that man. I mean he is so awful, he really is.”

The King, having recently stepped back into the public eye amid ongoing cancer treatment, showed a lighter side with his jest at the retirement celebration. Recently the King took up patronage of Witchell’s Normandy Memorial Trust, aimed at establishing a permanent D-Day memorial.