As King Charles announces his ‘skiing days are behind’ him, we recall the ups and downs he experienced on the slopes – from his friend’s tragic death to breaking up a play-fight between Princess Diana and Fergie….See More

He was once a frequent visitor to the exclusive Swiss resort of Klosters, often pictured going down the slopes with his sons William and Harry.

But now King Charles III has revealed his skiing days are behind him as he chatted to a Swiss engineer during a trip to a wind turbine factory in Middlesbrough.

The climate-oriented monarch was touring SeAHH Wind, the world’s largest offshore wind turbine base factory, when he made the heartbreaking admission to Avzi Jusufi, a machinery expert from Basel.

Colleague David Croft, from Campbelltown, Argyll and Bute, recalled the King saying to Avzi: ‘I think my skiing days are behind me.’

Charles, now 76, first learned how to ski at the age of 14 and has been taking to the slopes nearly every winter since.

But he cancelled a ski trip in 2023 to ensure he would be fit and healthy for his Coronation at Westminster Abbey that May, with a source noting that an accident would have been ‘disastrous’ ahead of the historic ceremony.

The following year, Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and could not travel while he underwent treatment.

As the King has announced his decision to hang up his skis, we take a look at the ups and downs he experienced on the slopes – from the death of his dear friend in an avalanche to breaking up a play-fight between Fergie and Princess Diana.
Charles is caught skiing in amusing disguise – 1980
Often royal family members have an agreement that if they do an official photo call, they will be left alone for the majority of their trip.

But Prince Charles went to far more extreme lengths to avoid the paparazzi and enjoy himself on the slopes by wearing disguises.

In 1980, the royal donned a fake moustache, bulbous nose and wide frame glasses in order to go unnoticed by the photographers.

But the eye-catching look only attracted more attention than if he had gone without it.

Despite being found out, Charles seemed to take the situation in good humour and reportedly told the press ‘the prince would not be coming out today’.