'I've sent at least a thousand emails': Country Life's features editor on working with The Prince of Wales

Paula Lester, features editor of Country Life, worked closely with HRH The Prince of Wales on the November 14 issue of the magazine.

HRH Prince of Wales working with Mark Hedges and Paula Lester
(Image credit: Country Life Picture Library)

Paula was the co-ordinating editor of the special issue, which was guest edited by the Prince to mark his 70th birthday – a 244-page issue of the magazine highlighting the Prince's deep love of the countryside.

Since the guest editor has neither phone nor computer nor email address, Country Life's team worked closely with Clarence House to pass on updates about how the various articles were shaping up.

'I've sent at least a thousand emails,' Paula told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning.

'I would deal with them and they would send a missive to him, on paper in a red box, overnight, and then he would come back and tell me exactly what he wanted me to do... It was very detailed. There's nothing in [the magazine] that he hasn't seen or requested us to do.'

You can watch the entire interview below (footage courtesy of the BBC).

The special November 14 issue of Country Life is on sale now – you can also try a subscription to Country Life at £6 for six issues.

Country Life

Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.