Comedian Eric Idle has revealed how he and his comic pals used to meet up at Billy Connolly's former Candacraig estate home to have dinner with the then-Prince Charles and help him 'escape' his royal reality.
Monty Python star Eric Idle has opened up about his meetings with King Charles at Billy Connolly's Scottish Highlands castle home where he provided him with some good comedic 'therapy' to help him escape the pressures of royal life.
The 81-year-old actor is known to have a good relationship with beloved Scots comedian Sir Billy, who previously owned the luxurious Candacraig House, which is located near Strathdon in Aberdeenshire, just 16 miles from the Royal Family's Aberdeenshire estate at Balmoral.
King Charles' Comedic Therapy Sessions
In a new interview with The Australian Women's Weekly, Eric revealed that he and a bunch of their famous comic friends would gather at Billy's home and the then Prince Charles would call up the 'Big Yin' and invite himself round for dinner.
He disclosed to the magazine: "We would all go up to Billy Connolly and Pamela Stephenson's home in Candacraig. He used to call it 'Pamelot'.
"It wasn't far from Balmoral. And there might be me and Robin Williams and Steve Martin and Eddie Izzard. And then [King] Charles would call up Billy and said, 'I hear you've got some very funny people over. Can I come to dinner?'
"He'd come, and the comedians would just let loose and he would laugh and laugh because, if you have to spend all day with people calling you sir and creeping around, it's really refreshing to have people just treat you as a human being. I think it was good therapy for him."
Eric then went on to reveal how he felt a sympathy for the then future monarch and the pressures he faced.
Royal Life: A 'Terrible Role'?
Recalling a conversation with Charles, he said: "At one point, he said, 'Oh you should be my jester'. And I said, 'Why would I want a f***** awful job like that? And he laughed. He laughed because that's what a jester's job is - to remind the monarch that they're just human.
"I think it's a terrible role to be in - royalty. I'm against it on the ground that it's very bad for the people to be involved in it...It's a sort of child abuse, and it's very hard to escape into normality."
A Star-Studded Birthday Bash
Charles was such good pals that he and Camilla were invited to his old pal Billy's home in Aberdeenshire back in 2002 for a star-studded celebration for the Scot's 60th birthday. Billy and Pamela later sold their Candacraig estate in 2014 to current owners Lynne and Marc Lino.
Meanwhile, last week Sir Billy made an admission about his death amid his ongoing health struggles. The retired Scots actor and comedian was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease back in 2013 and has become increasingly ill with the brain disorder which causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Despite the comedy legend revealing last year that he doesn't feel "close to death", he has now revealed the message he'd like on his gravestone when the time comes.
In true Connolly fashion, Billy revealed that he and his wife Pamela had settled on: '"You’re standing on my balls!" in tiny wee writing.'
Speaking of how he has now come to see the funny side of death, he went on: "You just confront it and make decisions based on it. You just have to think ‘Don't think you are being badly treated (in life) or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions. Just behave yourself and relax.
The retired Scots comic will reflect on his life and incredible career in a new BBC One series titled 'In My Own Words' which is set to air at 10:40pm on Monday (September 2). The BBC Arts series is made up of "fresh, contemporary series of unmediated interviews" with well-known creative figures.
