The Dorset Echo managed to secure an exclusive interview with the Prince of Wales to mark the 10th anniversary of his ‘model’ village development of Poundbury at Dorchester.

The feature on the Prince – a splash and double page spread, with another double-page spread the following day – came about through a long-established relationship with the Duchy of Cornwall.

Branch office reporter Miranda Holman, who has covered many of the Prince’s visits and every angle of the project, asked press officer Patrick Harrison whether – if the questions were simply about Poundbury – Prince Charles would agree to an interview on the tenth anniversary of the project.

Patrick did not hold out much hope, but said that if she prepared some questions he would ask the Prince.

Around 15 questions were sent by e-mail and a few days later Patrick rang back to say that he had the Prince’s answers – four pages of them.

The answers were detailed and full of the Prince’s own personal feelings on his project.

The Echo ran the interview in full on the day of his next visit to Poundbury.

When he was shown a copy of that day’s Echo he quipped: “Ah, I’m famous already.”

Miranda said: “I came up with questions I felt could be answered and that the prince would want to answer, but it was still quite a coup to secure the interview.

“To get such a comprehensive response to my questions was incredibly exciting.”

Years of bridge-building by the Echo’s Dorchester office helped secure the exclusive.

Reporters have covered everything from the first sod being turned to the last brick on the latest property, with balanced views on both the estate and the Prince’s much-maligned ideas of an “ideal community”.

The last two years, in particular, have been crucial – Prince Charles has visited on many occasions and the Dorset Echo has covered the event each time positively and fairly.

Bonds were also formed with the Duchy of Cornwall office at Poundbury – the estates manager there learned to trust reporters after items that may have been picked up and mauled by the nationals appeared simply and factually in the Echo.

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