Prince Charles finds a link to Leonard Cohen

Prince Charles rates the reclusive Canadian poet as one of his favourite singers.

Britain's Prince Charles, mocked by critics for being prone to gloomy introspection, has revealed that one of his favourite singers is Leonard Cohen.

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"It's terrific stuff," said the heir to the throne, waxing lyrical about the reclusive Canadian poet and troubadour who became known as the "Poet Laureate of Pessimism".

Charles, 57, gave a glimpse into his musical tastes in a television interview with his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his Prince's Trust, a charity he set up to help disadvantaged youngsters.

It sharply underlined the generation gap between the "philosopher prince" who puzzles with much angst over the meaning of life and his young sons who enjoy hip-hop and rap.

When Charles confessed that Cohen was one of his favourite singers, William asked "Is he a jazz player?"

Describing Cohen as a wonderful chap, Charles said: "He's remarkable. The orchestration is fantastic and the words, the lyrics and everything. He is a remarkable man and he has this incredibly laid-back, gravelly voice."

Cohen was renowned at the height of his fame for wearing black clothes and singing his gloom-laden classics like Suzanne and Bird on a Wire in a deep monotone.

Critics quipped that his records should have been distributed with free razor blades.