Prince Charles at peace with his role

LONDON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Friends say Prince Charles, about to turn 60, realizes that what he has done as prince may outshine anything he achieves when he becomes king of Britain.

One source told The Telegraph the Prince of Wales often says, "It's up to God what will happen."

"But I am sure he doesn't sit there thinking about what sort of King he will be, or planning how he will rule," the friend added. "He is too busy getting on with his work as the Prince of Wales."

The prince and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Japan this week for a short tour of Asia.

Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, maintains a busy schedule at age 82. If she matches her mother, who died at 101, Charles would be pushing 80 by the time he succeeds.

Friends told the Telegraph the prince's wife, the former Camilla Parker-Bowles, is a major factor in his contentment. They said that when he shows his temper it is usually when she is not with him.

Twenty years ago, Charles was unhappily married. Ten years later, he was coping with the backlash that followed the death of Princess Diana.