Prince Charles has been overheard grumbling about the press during his annual skiing trip in the Swiss resort of Klosters.
He said quietly but in full view of reporters: "Bloody people". The words were not heard by the reporters but picked up by the microphones.
Then, referring to a television correspondent who had just asked a question about next week's wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, he continued: "I can't bear that man anyway. He's so awful, he really is. I hate these people."
The Prince and his sons Princes William and Harry, attended the traditional five-minute photocall arranged in return for peace and quiet while on the slopes.
His muttered remarks were picked up by microphones. After being questioned about how he was feeling before the big day, he said in sarcastic fashion: "I'm very glad you have heard of it."
But then he muttered to himself the words that have been the focus of every news broadcast since.
Charles's communications secretary Paddy Harverson said: "He wasn't looking forward to it. He prefers it when he skis and he just wanted to get up into the mountains."
He added: "He doesn't have contempt for the media. We have an agreement with the media where they give them space during the holiday but a few paparazzi yesterday got the holiday off to a bad start. I think the Prince was a little bit upset about that."
Paparazzi photographers snapped Prince William and girlfriend Kate Middleton together in the ski resort despite aides' attempts to keep the break private.
There was no sign of university student Kate at the photocall.
ITN