London, July 4 : Prince Charles has revealed that he was "horrified and embarrassed" when the Queen announced 50 years ago that he would be granted the title.

The Prince of Wales was at Cheam Preparatory School, Berks, when he got to know through television that would be the next Prince.

During a dinner in Caerphilly Castle on Saturday, to celebrate his half-century as the Prince of Wales, he revealed he was in the headmaster's sitting room watching television with his classmates when the Queen's announcement was broadcast from Cardiff Arms Park in July 1958, during the closing ceremony of the then Empire Games in the city.

"I remember with horror and embarrassment how I was summoned with all the other boys at my school to the headmaster's sitting room where we all had to sit on the floor and watch television,” Telegraph quoted him as saying.

"To my total embarrassment I heard my Mama's voice - she wasn't very well at the time and could not go.

"My father went instead and a recording of the message was played in the stadium saying that I was to be made the Prince of Wales.

"All the other boys turned around and looked at me and I remember thinking: 'What on earth have I been let in for?'. That is my over-riding memory," he added.

The Prince said it was one of the "greatest privileges possible" to be the 21st Prince of Wales.

"I have tried my best - it may not be very adequate - to live up to the motto of my predecessors "Ich Dien - I serve," he said. (ANI)