Prince Charles' bizarre habits revealed in 'Rebel Prince' biography

Charles has also been outted as a "disloyal spendthrift" by the author of his new biography. Photo / Getty Images

In his new book, 'Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles', author Tom Bower reveals much about the future king of England, from his relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles and his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, to insider details about his parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

But beyond the inner workings of Charles and his family, the book exposes some very peculiar habits about the Prince too.

Here are five weird behaviours revealed:

1. He doesn't know what cling wrap is

At least he didn't until Camilla heard him shriek upon encountering cold meats set under the plastic product. He had asked staff to leave food out for him to snack on later and was reportedly frightened by the coating.

2. He's not like a regular prince, he's a cool prince

Yeah, right. According to Bower, Charles once boasted about using the 'tube', in a bid to seem down with the kids. It didn't come off.

3. He never leaves his bed behind

Charles takes his bedroom furniture everywhere he goes. Staff pack his orthopedic bed, fresh linen, radio, a chest of drawers, his personal toilet seat, rolls of Kleenex Premium Comfort toilet paper and two landscapes of the Scottish Highlands for when he travels.

4. He spends a lot of time in his wardrobe

He changes his clothes up to five times a day, with the help of four valets. And amid his 124 members of staff, a butler, two valets, a private secretary, typist, chef and handful of bodyguards join him whenever he leaves one of his six residences.

5. He blows cash on trips

He refuses to travel without his private plane or helicopter and can easily spend a small fortune on day trips. In 2006, he reportedly used the royal train to travel to Penrith (at a cost of NZ$37,000) just to visit a pub ... We wonder if he took his toilet seat too.

Last week Bower spoke to Newstalk ZB's Kate Hawkesby telling her: "The book is full of remarkable insight and revelations. He is 70 years old this year and he has done a hell of a lot, not all bad, some of it has been very good.

"But he is a very controversial figure and one of his weaknesses is that he never actually wants to engage with his critics, and that means he lays himself open to even more criticism."

Bower said the most shocking revelation for him was the way Prince Charles handles money for charities and personal expenditure.

"He is pretty spendthrift and the way he raises money for his charities; he raises a lot but he does mix with some really awful people who shouldn't be allowed access to him.

"Even Prince Phillip accused him of being a rent-to-royal and has told him he has to cut it back."