A FEATURE-LENGTH television film telling the love story of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is to be made in Ireland later this month. The €3.5m drama is being filmed by Granada for ITV, with stately homes and castles in Leinster doubling for England.

Shooting begins on May 9 for five weeks around Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare on the film, called Whatever Love Means. The title is a reference to a throwaway remark made by Prince Charles at the press conference to announce his engagement to Diana Spencer. Asked if he was in love, the prince quipped: “Yes. Whatever love means.”

The two-hour programme will follow the relationship between Charles and his new wife, from their first meeting at a polo match in 1971 until his marriage to Princess Diana a decade later. Granada said it would be a “sensitive portrayal of their love and friendship”.

“It will explain to the audience why they didn’t get together at the time,” said Janice Troup, head of ITV programme publicity.

Two relative unknowns will play the lead roles of the young Charles and Camilla. Laurence Fox, a 6ft 3in Rada-trained actor, will play the prince who falls in love with the young Camilla, portrayed by Olivia Poulet, recently seen in the BBC drama The Rotters’ Club. Poulet’s skills as a horse rider will come in useful.

The role of Diana, who divorced Charles in 1996 after saying “there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded”, has yet to be cast. The script was written by William Humble, who wrote the screenplays for biopics about Tony Hancock, the British comedian, and the pianist John Ogden.

Granada is filming the project in Ireland in order to avail of tax incentives for television films which are not available in Britain. James Flynn and Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 are the Irish co-producers on the project. “You can get tax deals if you come here for television that don’t apply in England at the moment,” said Flynn. “It’s a competitive advantage now.”

In April 2002, Gordon Brown, the UK chancellor, suspended the sale and leaseback tax break for television films made in Britain, restricting its use to cinematic releases. “Sale and leaseback doesn’t extend to television in the UK anymore so there is an opportunity for UK television projects to happen in Ireland — that’s an interesting development,” said Flynn. The strength of the euro against the dollar has meant fewer American films have come here to shoot lately.

“Section 481 can also be used for international television drama so this latest incoming production is yet another example of how important this incentive is to the industry,” said Naoise Barry, Irish Film Board film commissioner.

“This is the second year in a row that Granada has filmed in Ireland so it’s a great testament to the talented cast and crew Ireland has to offer.”

The film will be directed by David Blair, a British director who has worked in Ireland several times. He directed a feature film called Mystics, starring Milo O’Shea, as well as another Granada drama, Malice Aforethought, last year.

The company’s positive experience filming in Ireland last year also influenced the decision to come back. “Everybody enjoyed the experience last time round — and there are very suitable locations that are perfect for this drama,” said Troup. “This production has to look sumptuous and luxurious in every detail and Dublin affords us the opportunity to make this happen. Castles, polo fields, grand properties with fine interiors in close proximity is all available to us in Dublin.”

This is not the first film about the royal family to be made in Ireland. Three years ago, an American movie about the life of Prince William was filmed mainly in Wicklow, with Powerscourt estate in Enniskerry used to recreate Buckingham Palace and Humewood Castle in Kiltegan doubling for Balmoral.

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