Prince Charles learning Arabic

Charles told guests at a reception in Qatar that the language “goes in one ear and out the other”, but an aide disclosed that he has been having private tuition for more than six months.

The prince’s skill could help his desire to encourage dialogue between different religions, as he would be able to read the Koran in its original form.

Charles was in Doha at the Qatar-UK Alumni Network, for Qataris who have attended British universities, when he told a group of guests: “You all speak such good English.”

Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, chairman of the association and Qatar’s energy minister, asked the Prince if he spoke any Arabic.

He replied: “I tried to learn it once but I gave up. It goes in one ear and out the other.” Dr Al-Sada told him: “It’s never too late to learn.”

An aide confirmed afterwards that Charles has been taking lessons.

The prince also speaks French, some German, and has also had tuition in Welsh.

At the same technology park, Charles was given the chance to step into the shoes of a Doha taxi driver, as he tried out a driving simulator.