Zcause Blog; Anthony Zolezzi.com

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Blog: December 2008

A conversation with The Prince of Wales that shows what makes him such a genuine ‘prince of a fellow’

December 10

I had the recent honor of being an invited guest at Prince Charles’ 60th birthday party. Everyone among the 300 or so other guests with whom I spoke seemed to regard His Royal Highness with an awe that far transcended the traditional level of deference normally reserved for royalty. But then, the Prince of Wales is really a ‘prince of a fellow’ in a very genuine sense -- an incredible source of inspiration for people involved in all manner of worthy causes, who not only promotes such endeavors but actually creates and funds them.

The Philharmonic that played for him was a philanthropic group that he funded to help save the arts--- and the group on hand to honor him was as eclectic assortment of musicians, artists and, of course other royals from around the world (not to mention the scion of a relatively humble fishing family from San Diego, California by the name of Zolezzi).

The extraordinary esteem accorded the heir to the British throne is a reflection of a life of inherited privilege that’s been dedicated to helping future generations inherit a better world. The prince supports no less than19 different charities and causes, ranging from the Rainforest Initiative and organic agriculture to one of the world’s most famous charities, "The Prince’s Trust," that offers new opportunities and hope to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It’s easy enough, of course, to say that we would do similar things had we been born to such a life of entitlement. But this prince goes well beyond any philanthropically inclined individual I have ever met and keeps it all authentic and transparent to boot, tirelessly directing a staff to make sure all of these initiatives, charities and programs are making a real difference (for details, I would suggest you visit his web site at http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/).

I originally hadn’t intended to write about this event, because I felt my motives in doing so could be subject to misinterpretation. But subsequently, I was in a meeting with a group looking to solve an environmental issue, and the subject of the Wal-Mart store in Russellville, Ark. that features all the latest environmental impact improvements came up. It called to mind my conversation with HRH on this very subject. He was coincidentally preparing for a visit from Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott, and wanted to know my thoughts. So I related what I knew about the sustainability program and its impact, how impressive it is, and then went on to describe the Russellville store. When I had finished, the prince said he had only one question about the store. He looked at me and asked, "Is it beautiful?" I replied that it was not, having been designed to be a typical utilitarian, mass-market chain emporium. Then it’s not really sustainable, he answered, because nature would never create anything that was devoid of beauty.

When I relayed that exchange to the people in my meeting, the response was, “Wow -- he really does get it!”

But then, it’s just this sort of transcendent perspective – one reminiscent of the line “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” that was penned by another famous Brit, John Keats -- that makes Prince Charles such a critically important individual in helping make the world a better, as well as more aesthetic, place to live.