It’s big birthday time at the palace and could also be time for the retirement clock. But far from looking back on a long career, the Prince of Wales is still waiting to start work. At any rate, to begin the job earmarked for him since birth, writes Shirley Tart.

In many ways, he’ll be delighted because it means his mother remains hale and hearty. On the other hand, it’s an odd sort of life really, isn’t it?

He now realises that her reign could be the longest, his one of the shortest. 

Charles was four when his mum became Queen, in a now strangely formal age when her tiny boy got a handshake rather than a hug. As dictated by top people’s fashion of the day, the solemn little boy was dressed for public appearances in smart wool coats with velvet collars, pastel linen shorts with blouson tops. He also had a fine head of well-groomed hair for such a young man.

Today, the Prince of Wales battles to conceal a thinning pate, has more lines than his mother and a background littered with the sort of romance, intrigue, tragedy and royal controversy which sells novels. But this is a true story of our times. 

The tale of the first child of the woman so suddenly destined to be Queen, and first grandchild for her parents, then our unprepared King and his Queen who was to become our much loved Queen Mum. 

This little boy became heir to a throne which then exercised a benign rule over a global but fading Empire, an emerging Commonwealth and a nation awash with history and grandeur.

But young Charles Philip Arthur George knew little of that. Even as his mother became Queen Elizabeth ll, she and her husband were in Kenya, Charles and his sister Anne aged two, were being minded by nanny and granny.

How could he have grasped that he had suddenly assumed an awesome place in history. That he would one day inherit all his mother had just inherited. And after nearly six decades of this second Elizabethan reign, that day is yet to come. 

Sweeping changes have seen the final dissolution of the Empire and evolution of the modern Commonwealth of Nations. Her Majesty remains the queen regnant of 16 independent states and their overseas territories and dependencies. She is head of the Commonwealth, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Duke of Normandy, Lord of Mann, and Paramount Chief of Fiji.  

Charles, who would add that lot (for queen, read king) to his own raft of titles, has had two wives, two sons and in the eyes of many, not a bad life.

Today, the Prince of Wales is 60. And however philosophic, he must look back on a strange life in which he has been trained, inasmuch as training is available, to be King. But given the happy health and vigour of his 82-years-old mother and her determination to never abdicate, this milestone birthday might assume millstone proportions.

As contemporaries retire after a lifetime’s gainful employment, Charles, Prince of Wales, is still waiting to do the job destiny decreed for him. 

Those who know him rate him, but he has also had to deal with intense hostility. Why? 

Firstly, the massive effect of the Diana factor on the British royal family and in particular, resentment towards her former husband. Secondly, their handsome son and Diana lookalike, Prince William was seen as real king material – and next time around, not a generation on. 

However, the Queen will not abdicate and has instilled into the heirs that neither will they.

But what now for her eldest at 60 and still in waiting? Both his mother and his wife of three years but love of a lifetime, have organised parties, one last night and the other tomorrow. And both criticised in this time of recession. There were also claims of hi-jacking by either Camilla’s party organiser sister or Charles’s party-organiser confidant. 

For the birthday boy himself, a solemn moment. His sons will settle and raise their own families and while he is so much more content since marrying Camilla, the Prince must wonder about a career as King Charles lll? 

But he hasn’t exactly been treading water. He founded the hugely successful Prince’s Trust which has given hope, opportunity and practical help to thousands who thought they never stood a chance.

I’ve talked to lots of them over the years and they think the world of their royal benefactor. He is genuinely interested, follows their stories and gets enormous pleasure from making the contribution. While the Prince’s views on many topics from architecture to organic gardening are well documented – and an easy target for the sneering classes.

Of course Charles is privileged in terms of birth and lifestyle, royals are – though he has hardly  been immune from misery and blame in his private life. 

But he has also seriously tried to play his part on the national scene and lately taken more responsibilities from his mother. 

Face-to-face the prince is charming, interested, funny and well versed and his boys adore him. 

He has used his time as Prince-in-Waiting to support and help the Queen and of course she wanted to  give him a party. After all, he is son as well as heir. 

Happy birthday, Sir. And welcome to the Pensioner Brigade!