Charles and Camilla drama to be screened
ITV1 is to broadcast a two-hour film on the early years of the relationship between the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, it was revealed today
The film, Whatever Love Means, will explore the couple's "passionate relationship" before Prince Charles married a young Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
It traces how Charles and Camilla met at a 1970 polo match and how their friendship and relationship grew over the following years.
Casting for the film, which is being produced by Granada, is currently under way and production will begin in May.
Granada's head of drama Damien Timmer said: "As a nation we know very little about the early days of Charles and Camilla's love affair.
"Almost instantly they developed a loving and compelling relationship and it soon became apparent to Charles that he had met his soul mate.
"This is a sensitive portrayal of their love and friendship prior to his meeting and marrying Diana."
The title is sure to evoke memories of Charles and Diana's first television interview when they announced their engagement in 1981.
They were asked the question: "Are you in love?" Bride-to-be Diana said: "Of course" while Charles replied yes, adding: "Whatever love means."
Whatever Love Means has been written by William Humble - creator of Hancock, which looked at the final days of comic Tony Hancock, and Virtuoso, a study of concert pianist John Ogden.
A spokeswoman for Granada said: "Whatever Love Means reveals how a confident 23-year-old Camilla made such a lasting impression on our future king.
"Their friendship grows as Camilla radiates warmth and kindness towards the lonely, isolated prince.
"His intense anguish and search for happiness humanises our future king as he struggles to come to terms with his conflicting emotions.
"He knew he would always love Camilla, but duty and country had to come first."
Charles and Camilla, who married on Saturday, spent the early part of yesterday at a church service.
They greeted well-wishers close to the royal retreat of Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate, where they are spending their honeymoon.
