Why the future king took out the bins during his school days in Gordonstoun, which he called ‘Colditz’

Even the most casual royal observer has heard a few stories about how much King Charles hated his grueling school days at Gordonstoun.

But previously unknown details have now emerged about the future monarch’s time at the Scottish boarding school where he spent five years of his teenage years.

Following an exclusive interview with one of his former teachers, The Mail on Sunday can reveal:

• Charles was furious after discovering that his telescope had been donated to the school by his father;
• Twice a week he had to take out the garbage cans;
• Bullies targeted him on the rugby pitch;
• He distinguished himself on stage in one of the most demanding of all Shakespearean roles.

Charles previously compared his years at Gordonstoun to a ‘prison sentence’ and is said to have called it ‘Colditz in kilts’.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Shomie Das – a former private tutor and physics tutor to Charles – described a shy 13-year-old who arrived at the school in 1962.

New image of Prince Charles (centre) while Head Boy in Gordonstoun in the summer of 1966/67

Now back in his native India, he addressed Charles’ previous comments about being teased about his big ears and being beaten on the sports field.

Mr Das, 87, said: ‘Well it was a hard school and kids are kids.

“They would take it upon themselves to get on top of him during a rugby match and rub his nose into the ground. It was those kinds of things. He was extremely gentle, not a hardened, rough character, so he found it difficult.’

Nor, it seems, were other boys the only source of Charles’ discomfort. According to Mr Das, the king-in-waiting was chosen by his caretaker, the late Robert Whitby – but this may have been at the insistence of the prince’s father.

The retired teacher said: ‘I think his caretaker was a bit harsh, but that’s what I think [Prince] Philip wanted. [Charles] was responsible for the bins – he had to take out the bins twice a week.’

Philip also appears in perhaps Mr. Das’s most cherished memory of Charles’s time at school. The then Duke of Edinburgh – who was also educated at Gordonstoun – arrived unexpectedly shortly after a new science laboratory was opened. After being shown around, he asked, “What do you want for the lab?” Do you want some?’

An exclusive photo of the Prince of Wales performing in the dagger scene as Macbeth in the Gordonstoun School production of Shakespeare’s play

The teacher replied that they needed a telescope and three weeks later one arrived from Buckingham Palace. When he saw it, Charles remarked, “Good God, I have one just like it.”

Mr Das remembered how to deliver the bad news and explained: ‘I said, ‘That’s from your father.’ He was furious, he said, ‘You win – he took that from my bedroom and gave it to you.’

But according to Mr. Das’ account, Charles also experienced more joyful times at school.

He said, “I think he wasn’t happy at first.

“But he became the head boy and that was only by election [by other pupils]. So I don’t know how unhappy he was towards the end.’

The teacher, pictured next to Charles in an official school photograph in 1966, said Charles developed his lifelong love of Shakespeare at Gordonstoun and recalled: ‘He was one of the best schoolboy Macbeths I ever saw, he was so good at Act. I think he was in King Lear too.’

Mr Das returned to India in 1967 shortly after Charles left Gordonstoun – which now charges over £33,000 a year to boarders.

He maintained an enduring friendship with Prince Philip and was invited to meet him in India during a royal visit in 1983, also keeping in touch with Charles.