King Charles’ near-death experience that killed one of his friends

• King Charles has dedicated more than 50 years to his royal duties.
• In March 1988 while the then-Prince of Wales was out skiing with some friends.

King Charles has dedicated more than 50 years to his royal duties and has fought for the value of everything from organic farming to sustainable building practises and environmental protection for many years.

His Majesty has talked extensively about his interests and favourite pastimes in his spare time.

Skiing is one of his favourite pastimes, and over the years, he has been photographed skiing with many family members, including Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

However, tragedy struck during a break in March 1988 while the then-Prince of Wales was out skiing with some friends. A Season 4 episode of Netflix’s The Crown featured the horrific incident that claimed the life of one of The King’s closest friends.

The then-Prince Charles, Diana, Princess of Wales, The Duchess of York, and a few other close friends went skiing in Klosters, Switzerland, in March 1988.

After a few days, Charles left the lodge on March 10 with Diana and Sarah staying behind to tackle a notoriously difficult route on Gotschnagrat Mountain. A mountain guide, Major Hugh Lindsay, Patti Palmer-Tomkinson, and a Swiss policeman were also present.

Charles decided to attempt a mountain slope that is “Among Switzerland’s steepest, they are hardly ever accessible to the general public. They are thought to be only appropriate for seasoned skiers like Prince Charles.”

The Guardian covered the events of the day at the time. According to the report, an avalanche began above the group while they were “in a stationary position off-piste,” or away from the designated ski runs.

The group was able to take cover, but Major Hugh Lindsay and Patti Palmer-Tomkinson were caught in an unexpected snow slide, according to the account provided at the time by Buckingham Palace. Palmer-Tomkinson sustained critical leg wounds, but Lindsay plunged 400 metres to her death and was buried in snow.

Although they were unharmed, Charles and the other group members attempted to rescue their injured friends. According to the BBC, “Prince Charles, the guide, and a Swiss police officer who was skiing with the party raced back to help the victims, digging with their bare hands in the snow to reach them, as soon as the danger had passed.”

Lindsay and Palmer-Tomkinson were flown by helicopter to a medical facility in the neighbouring town of Davos, but Lindsay was already dead when they got there. At the time of his death, Lindsay was 34 years old and expecting a child with his wife Sarah, who worked in the press office at Buckingham Palace.

Also Read

Why King Charles III is facing towards left on Royal coin ?

The Royal Mint has released the image of Charles III that will...