King Charles III once came within seconds of losing his life in a terrifying avalanche that had a lasting impact on him.
The 77-year-old monarch still remembers the 1988 tragedy, which not only put his own life in danger but also took the life of one of his close friends, Major Hugh Lindsay.
Lindsay, who served as an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II, was killed in the avalanche, while Patti Palmer-Tomkinson suffered serious leg injuries.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News that people close to Charles believe the incident made him more aware of how fragile life can be.
She explained that the tragedy reminded him that even his position within the Royal Family could not protect him from unexpected events.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said Charles had spent his entire life knowing that he would one day become king. However, the avalanche made him face the possibility that he might never reach the throne.
“The avalanche presented him with the opposite possibility, that he might never become king at all,” Schofield said.
She added that Charles survived by only a few seconds and that such an experience can completely change a person’s understanding of life and mortality.
Charles recently spoke about the terrifying incident during a special event at the Castle of Mey for members of the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
According to the BBC, the avalanche happened on March 10, 1988, while Charles and his companions were skiing off-piste above Klosters, his favourite Swiss resort.
When the avalanche struck, Lindsay was swept around 1,312 feet down the mountainside. Palmer-Tomkinson was also caught in the disaster and suffered serious injuries.
Charles and several other members of the group, including their guide, managed to ski away from the avalanche and reach safety.
Marie Griffiths later recalled seeing Charles being taken away by helicopter. She said he appeared extremely distressed but did not seem to have suffered any physical injuries.
Author Christopher Andersen said Charles never forgot the terrifying sound of the avalanche. He later described the mountain as seemingly exploding with huge clouds of snow.
Andersen also said Charles and his friends had gone onto a dangerous slope that was away from the usual route.
In an account released after the accident, Charles explained that he and several others managed to escape the avalanche’s path, while Lindsay and Palmer-Tomkinson were swept away.
Lindsay was killed during the fall, leaving Charles with a tragic reminder of just how quickly life can change.
The near-death experience stayed with Charles for decades and gave him a deeper understanding of life’s uncertainty, long before he eventually became King.
