Charles has reason for caution. As his advisers see it, many Americans regard him as the cad who, with the help of his paramour, Camilla Parker Bowles, wrecked a fairy-tale marriage. The Yanks may be more unforgiving than his subjects in Britain, where he has earned approval as a struggling single dad who devotes himself to charitable works.
Charles’s advisers now believe, as one put it, that “enough time has passed.” Stressing that “no final decisions have been made,” a source close to Charles told NEWSWEEK that the plan is for a visit of a week or so in October. The Prince of Wales would go to Washington, where he expects to meet with President Bush; New York, where among other things he would throw his weight behind “UKNY,” an exhibition of British and American artists, and perhaps another East Coast city. The source characterized this journey as “a real” visit. “This is not about going there with his hand out to raise money for English charities. He’s going as the heir to the throne.” He is not expected to take either of his sons (they will be in school)–“and there’s no question of Camilla going,” said the source. “This is serious business.”
