Prince Charles reportedly planning TV broadcast to mark the Queen's 80th

Jan 10, 2006, 6:56 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles is reportedly planning a TV broadcast to mark the Queen's 80th birthday in April.

It's thought the heir to the British throne will address the nation on April 21, the day before his mother celebrates her birthday.

Charles - who has been rumoured to have had an uneasy relationship with his mother, partly due to his long-running affair with now wife Camilla Parker Bowles - will reportedly pay tribute to the queen's reign in his speech. It isn't the first time Charles, the father of Princes William and Harry, has broadcast tributes to members of the royal family.

He spoke about the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret after their deaths in 2002 - and is said to have given a thoroughly professional performance without using notes or an autocue.

An aide is quoted in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper as saying: "We call him one-take Charlie."

The prince's speech is just one of the events lined up to commemorate the monarch's milestone birthday.

The queen will host a reception for members of the public who share their 80th birthday with her, and the Duke of York will exhibit some of his photographs of his mother.

There will be a national service of thanksgiving at London's St Paul's Cathedral later in the year.

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International