"If I Can Prove Myself Useful . . ."

During a break in his paratrooper training, Prince Charles spent the better part of a weekend responding on paper to questions submitted to him by TIME, writing out his replies on lined foolscap with a felt-tipped pen. This rare royal interview is the first that Charles has given to a non-British publication. Excerpts:

On his royal role. There is no clearly defined job for a Prince of Wales. It is a question of what you make of the position. I believe that it is best to confine myself to three basic aims at the start--to show concern for people, to display interest in them as individuals, and to encourage them in a whole host of ways.

On his primary concern. I believe we are in danger nowadays of ignoring the human factor, of forgetting that we are all individual human beings with problems to be solved and with feelings that have changed very little over thousands of years and will not change simply because we are becoming more and more technologically advanced.

On his involvement with TV. I would like to see further ethnological programs shown on television, because I believe it is essential to make a concerted effort to reduce the barriers of prejudice and misunderstanding when it comes to racial matters. These exist primarily through ignorance of the way in which other people live, work and worship. Television seems to me to be an ideal way of transmitting knowledge and information to millions of people in a relatively painless fashion. This could help to dispel fear, resentment and prejudice, which is essential if we are to exist successfully as a multiracial society. I hope I can do something toward this end.

On the future of the Commonwealth. I happen to be one of those people who believe strongly in the idea of the Commonwealth, and I will continue to do all I can to preserve and improve it as a living association in the world of the future. Any association of states, freely entered into, which comprises almost a quarter of the world's population and contains a multitude of races, creeds and cultures, and which can contribute toward the destruction of artificial barriers between peoples must, surely, be worth preserving.

On relating to his own protest generation. I think you are a bit late with this question. I suspect my generation has now passed through its anti-Establishment and protest phase and is becoming more and more "established" every day. You forget how old I am! Insofar as anyone is a product of his generation, I think I can identify with some aspects of my generation. Inevitably there are others with which I can't.

On trendy views. I dare say many of my views and beliefs would be considered somewhat old-fashioned and out of date, but that doesn't worry me because fashion, by its very definition, is transitory, and, human nature being what it is, what was old-fashioned at length becomes in fashion, and thus the whole process continues. The real problem, I find, is having the courage of your convictions when others about you seem to be losing theirs.

On the European Community, Britain and the monarchy. I don't see why being a member of the EEC should have any adverse effect on the British monarchy. As far as I know, there are no plans to extend the idea of the Common Agricultural Policy to include a Common Monarch Policy as well!

On pomp and ceremony. I would change nothing. Besides ceremony being a major and important aspect of monarchy, something that has grown and developed over a thousand years in Britain, I happen to enjoy it enormously.

On his personal goals. I believe that if I can prove myself useful, then gradually people may wish me to become more closely involved with specific organizations or movements. _ have not set myself a general goal in life, nor am I sufficiently ambitious or overconfident to have decided what mark I would like to make on history. I would only hope that it won't be a messy mark!

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