London -
It is his destiny to defend Christianity as head of the Church of England when he is king.
This, however, has not stopped the Prince of Wales from long being fascinated by Islam.
On Thursday, it emerged Charles has taken this interest a step further by having lessons in Arabic for the last six months.
This would enable him to read the Qur’an in its original form as well as decipher Arabic script on visits to mosques and museums.
Details emerged during a reception in the Qatari capital of Doha on his nine-day tour of the Middle East with the Duchess of Cornwall. The Prince was at the launch of the Qatar-UK Alumni Network when its chairman Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada asked if he spoke any Arabic.
Charles replied: “I tried to learn it once but I gave up. It goes in one ear and out the other.”
A royal aide confirmed he has been having lessons for six months, adding: “He is enormously interested in the region.”
Charles speaks good French, some German and has had lessons in Welsh. He is passionate about encouraging dialogue between religions and has spoken about his study of the Qur’an.
Later at a technology centre, he declared “how lovely” at the gift of tiny blue-and-white Formula 1 racing overalls for his future grandchild - embroidered HRH for His (or Her) Royal Highness.
The Duchess of Cornwall later chaired a discussion with six women taking in themes as diverse as female rights, the tango and cupcakes.
She told one who confessed to a love of the exotic dance, shopping and baking: “It sounds to me a very civilised life!”
Later, Camilla sat in a replica Bedouin tent to chat to Qatar’s first mobile phone saleswomen, clad in veils and abayas, telling them: “You are all really brilliant.” - Daily Mail