As the plane taxis to a halt, the 100 or so people on the runway start waving their American and British flags frantically. They hope to catch a first glimpse of Charles, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne. Dressed in their Sunday best, the crowd pushes against the ropes watching as the band, clad in Revolution-era uniforms, strikes up "God Save the Queen."

When the door to the plane opens, however, silence falls over the crowd. About five people disembark before he steps through the doorway, sporting a double-breasted grey suit and a tan. As the crowd watches in quiet respect, he greets Governor Michael S. Dukakis and his other distinguished hosts. The Prince listens politely to the band perform and walks to the waiting crowd where he stops to chat with a few people. One girl can't stop smiling after she curtseys. Another woman acts casual while in conversation, but after is agog at what has just happened.

There's a story about him, probably apocryphal: While on an official visit to a palace in the Middle East, Charles fell slightly behind the tour group. As he exited a door, a servant entered. Upon catching sight of Charles, the servant assumed the Prince was the butler he was assigned to meet and handed the heir to the British throne a pile of clothes to press.

Such confusion is not surprising. Although, the heir apparent has continued the tradition of a nattily dressed Prince of Wales, he looks like a well-to-do businessman rather than the future King of England. But the 37-year-old Charles is one of the most famous people in the world, sought after wherever he travels. He's known for the post he gained through birth, but respected for his intelligence and dignity, loved for his humor and British good looks. His office carries little political weight, but he has the power to influence subtly British policy.

Indeed, Charles is admired throughout the United Kingdom for his ability as a statesman. "He's an ambassador of Britain in a very real sense. In effect, he's a salesman of Great Britain," says Wallace T. MacCaffrey, Higginson Professor of History. A recent British poll asked citizens whom they would most want to see become president of Great Britain if the country were to become a democracy. Prince Charles was one of the most popular choices, along with his father Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. "He's a very important political symbol," says Peter A. Hall, assistant professor of Government.

If the Prince of Wales's political power seems insubstantial, he has considerable monetary influence. He is believed to be one of the richest men outside the Arab world. Queen Elizabeth II's fortune has been estimated at between $20 and $140 million, and Charles stands to inherit this when he becomes King Charles III. Landlord of the entire Duchy of Cornwall, which includes 131, 744 acres in nine counties, the Prince boasts among his holdings Dartmoor Prison and castles throughout Great Britain. When he becomes king, he will also gain the Duchy of Lancaster which has revenues about twice the size of Cornwall's. Cornwall eventually will go to Charles's eldest son, Prince William.

In addition to all this generosity, Charles has the dubious honor of owning any cetecean that is washed up on Cornish shores and has the rightto enforce a tax of three hundred puffins from theresidents of the Isle of Scilly.

But the Prince is not one to enforce things. Hetends to effect changes with subtle, polishedfinesse. In a recent incident, the Prince foundthe proposed plans for an addition to the NationalGallery in Trafalgar Square a little too modernfor his taste. He reportedly said that if thecommission went through with their plans, the newbuilding would be "something like a carbuncle onthe face of a close friend."

Royal-watchers agree that Charles and hisfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, are the most likelyto issue opinions on many subjects. Thisforthrightness is indicative of the new royalfamily, one which seeks to be less formal and morein touch with the British people.

Some royal-watchers have argued that such achange is necessary to insure that the family atBuckingham Palace remains popular with the Britishsubjects. At a time when most of the Britishpopulation is working class, the royal familystands out as a sore thumb. Yet, the British lovethe royal family, avidly following their everymove. Charles may well be the most popular royalfigure because of his expertise in dealing withthe public and the press.

And his marriage five years ago to Lady DianaSpencer did not hurt this image. Princess Di, asAmericans have affectionately nicknamed her, hasattracted greater media attention to Charles. LikeCharles, Diana handles press and public occasionswith perfect aplomb. In fact, the only members ofCharles' immediate family who have yet to masterthis skill are his three-year-old son, WilliamArthur Philip Louis, and his two-year-old sonHenry Charles Albert David.

Yet, the Prince has a bit of an image of aneccentric in Great Britain, says Thomas Ertman afourth-year graduate student in sociology whospecializes in British politics. A non-smoker,Charles is a vegetarian and drinks only whenprotocol requires it. At times, he has eschewedtea or coffee as well. And unlike previous heirsto the throne, Charles has a decidedlyintellectual image, having gained the distinctionof being the first heir to earn a universitydegree. Says MacCaffrey, "He's the most originalBritish prince since Prince Albert a century ago."

The Child Prince

On November 14, 1948, 22-year-old PrincessElizabeth gave birth to a seven-pound, six-ounceboy. It took more than a month--until the day ofthe christening--for the child's parents toofficially announce his name: Charles PhilipArthur George.

Despite the traditional name, the Princereceived anything but a traditional royaleducation.