Prince Charles has praised the way his wife has tackled the challenge of joining the royal family as ‘ brilliant ’ ahead of their 10th wedding anniversary next month . The heir to the throne also highlighted the Duchess of Cornwall ’ s ‘ charm and charisma ’ in an unusually affectionate television interview . Since marrying the prince in 2005 , Camilla – once one of the most hated women in Britain - has gone from being a middle-aged mother who lived much of her life out of the spotlight , to taking on a range of charitable patronages and learning about the rigours of royal engagements . Scroll down for video . Prince Charles highlighted the Duchess of Cornwall 's 'charm and charisma ' during a television interview . Affectionate : Prince Charles has praised the way his wife tackled the challenge of joining the royal family as 'brilliant ' ahead of their 10th wedding anniversary next month . Above , the couple share a private moment . Wedding day : Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall pictured after the ceremony on April 9 2005 . In an interview with CNN ’ s Max Foster ahead of the couple ’ s joint tour of the US next week , Charles was asked : ‘ People can not believe it 's been 10 years . ‘ And in that time the Duchess of Cornwall has defined her own public role as well , has n't she ? ‘ Has that been a challenge ? ’ The prince , who was interviewed at Birkhall , his home next to the Queen 's Balmoral estate , replied : ‘ You can imagine it is a real , real challenge . ‘ But she 's , I think , been brilliant in the way she 's tackled these things. ’ The future king , who has rarely spoken publicly in detail about his relationship with Camilla , was also asked about her ‘ powerful ’ charm and humour . ‘ It 's a side that does n't always come across on television , but it 's , it 's pretty powerful in real life , is n't it ? ’ his interviewer said . Charles replied : ‘ Yes , I think so . ‘ It 's a peculiar thing ... sometimes the camera ... but also , inevitably perhaps a bit more relaxed when it 's , when it 's slightly more private or when you 're meeting people without being totally surrounded all the time by the dreaded camera. ’ Royal visit : The couple ( pictured together ) will travel to the US next week to meet President Obama and undertake a series of official engagements in Washington and Kentucky . Charles and Camilla began dating in the early 1970s but the prince was said to be ‘ heartbroken ’ when Camilla married cavalry officer Andrew Parker Bowles after he ‘ dithered ’ about their future . Charles went on to marry Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 but within a few years their marriage imploded . The prince resumed his affair with his former mistress Camilla while Diana turned to a string of lovers including cavalry officer James Hewitt . Throughout the early 1990s the couple undertook a series of carefully planned public appearances designed to cultivate public acceptance of their relationship . These culminated in their wedding in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on April 9 2005 , since when Camilla has taken her place by her husband ’ s side on the world stage . Prince Charles has rarely spoken publicly in detail about his relationship with Camilla ( pictured with her children Tom , right , and Laura , left , at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday ) Charles and Camilla began dating in the early 1970s . They are pictured together at the annual Commonwealth Observance in Westminster Abbey on Monday . Charles and Camilla began dating in the early 1970s but the prince was said to be ‘ heartbroken ’ when Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles after he ‘ dithered ’ about their future . Above , the couple in the 1970s . Aware of continuing public sensitivities to their relationship , however , Clarence House continue to insist she will not become Queen but instead use the title Princess Consort when Charles accedes to the throne . The couple will travel to the US next week to meet President Obama and undertake a series of official engagements in Washington and Kentucky . During the interview Charles recalled the first time he was invited to The White House with his sister , Princess Anne , in 1970 by President Nixson . He said they – presumably meaning the media – were ‘ trying to marry me off to Tricia Nixson ’ at the time . CNN Spotlight : Charles and Camilla , a half-hour programme , will be broadcast on Friday at 7.30pm on CNN International .
prince and princess celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary next month . The prince praises his wife in interview that will be broadcast this week . Heir to the throne highlights Duchess of Cornwall 's ' charm and charisma '