Charles's mobile throne: Prince's favourite silk cushions that flunkie races to put down for him on every seat he uses

Pampered prince helicoptered into Kensington Palace last week

PUBLISHED: 16:04 EST, 11 May 2013 | UPDATED: 01:58 EST, 13 May 2013

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As the liveried helicopter touches down in the Palace grounds, highly trained professionals act swiftly but discreetly to unload its precious Royal cargo . . . Prince Charles’s favourite embroidered silk cushion.

It took two unofficial Protectors Of The Privy Bottom to attend to the VIP – Very Important Pillow – when the Prince’s maroon twin-engine Sikorsky landed in Kensington Palace last week.

After the 64-year-old walked to his waiting car, one of his Scotland Yard bodyguards could be seen bringing up the rear with the red and gold cushion.

British heirways: Charles steps out of the helicopter after touching down at Kensington Palace

Rearguard action: His bodyguard keeps a tight hold of the Royal cusion

Then came the handover. Subtle, but in keeping with soft-furnishing protocol, the cushion was passed to the Prince’s leather-gloved chauffeur, whose job was to plump it up and lay it out.

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The Prince waited patiently, glancing over his papers, until the cushion was correctly positioned. Then he lowered himself gingerly on to the back seat.

The events were witnessed by a crowd of Royal-watchers, as well as the Prince’s own staff, some of whom could barely hide their amusement.

Soft landing: The cusion passes safely between flunkies as the co-pilot grins broadly

Cushy: Charles's chauffeur finishes the task

Charles – who famously has a trusted aide squeeze toothpaste on to his brush – uses the cushion to ease his back pain, which makes it difficult for him to sit for more than an hour.

The photographs also reveal the Prince’s reading habits, as inside the helicopter’s door panel can be seen a selection of magazines: The Economist, The Spectator and a copy of Autocar reviewing the new Ford Fiesta.

Another compartment contains a restaurant guide from society magazine Tatler.

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I have a lower back problem and have to have a cushion with me at all times too. So what!

- tonigapage , telford, 13/5/2013 18:22

Click to rate Rating 7

. . . and ?

- mountie , Winnipeg, Canada, 13/5/2013 16:03

Click to rate Rating 17

A King with a sore Ass fits Charles to a tee.

- Lindsley80 , Wallingford, 13/5/2013 15:29

Click to rate Rating 11

nobby styles

- KapitanvonSchmidtYa , London, United Kingdom, 13/5/2013 14:21

Click to rate Rating 3

Thats our money hes wasting on useless pompery like that...

- jb , Glasgow, 13/5/2013 14:14

Click to rate Rating 9

yet another reason to disrespect the man.why cant he carry his own cushion?

- UNA42_ , keswick, 13/5/2013 13:19

Click to rate Rating 10

Its for his back !!! Charles also like Camilla suffers from a bad back and it special cushion goes everywhere with them. If you noticed in Charles and Camilla Carriage at the State Opening of Parliament the cushions where on display and you saw them both making sure they were comfortable Jamie Sutherland Aberdeen

- JAmie Sutherland , Aberdeen, 13/5/2013 11:53

Click to rate Rating 11

hmm..the royal protection squad dont normally hold things for anyone, they are trained to keep their hands free at all times for obvious reasons.

- ex para , rdale, 13/5/2013 11:49

Click to rate Rating 16

Could he not have taken one of the lifebelts from Britannia? That would ease the pressure?

- Charlie , Scotland, United Kingdom, 13/5/2013 00:24

Click to rate Rating 3

it is most embarrasing seeing how many grown men are so stupid to carry this cushion for him...........

- jess , devon, 12/5/2013 23:18

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