Architecture, ecology, heritage: Charles' passions

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In the 1980s, Charles launched a crusade against modern architecture which he considered "ugly", even comparing to a "monstrous wart" an extension project for the National Gallery on London's Trafalgar Square, which was finally abandoned. He put his ideas into practice by supporting the construction of a model village called Poundbury on his land in Dorset, South West England, in the early 1990s.

The housing estate, built in a neo-classical Georgian style, was deemed "soulless" by some critics, but attracted interest from buyers.

Charles has also helped revitalize Nansledan, an extension of the town of Newquay in a poor, formerly mining area of ​​Cornwall, with colorful eco-friendly housing and local amenities.

Ecology and organic farming

A long-time environmentalist, Charles has established an all-organic garden and farm on his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, West England. He also launched the Duchy Originals range of organic food and beverages, marketed by high-end supermarkets Waitrose.

An avid gardener, Charles revealed in a 1986 interview that he talked to plants, drawing ridicule. But his views on environmental advocacy have become more divided over the years.

At the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021, he urged politicians to redouble their efforts in the fight against global warming.

His car, an Aston Martin he's owned for over 50 years, has been modified to run on surplus English white wine and whey from the cheese-making process. It runs on a mixture of 85% bioethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline.

Transylvania

Charles bought several houses in Transylvania, a region of central-western Romania best known as Dracula's homeland. He restored them using traditional methods and furnishings. One has been transformed into a guest house.

In 2015, he launched his own charitable foundation in Romania, which aims to protect the country's cultural and natural heritage and promote sustainable development.

Charles prides himself on being a distant relative of a XNUMXth century prince known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula and has, in his own words, "Transylvania in (his) blood".