Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, is better known for colourful but controversial off-the-cuff comments than great speeches.

Speaking in Copenhagen on December 15 at the world climate summit, however, the Prince demonstrated many classic hallmarks of a strong speech, with quotable messages and simple language.

His message was punchy, concise and contained metaphorical language: “We have only seven years before we lose the levers of control.”

He offered a sprinkling of specifics, pointing out for example that: “In the last 50 years we have degraded 30% of global topsoil and destroyed 30% of the world\'s rainforests.” Speech text often requires less detail than text for reading - listeners usually want fewer numbers than readers. The trick is striking the right balance between being vague and boring.

He used open, approachable language to explain complex situations. Highlighting a sophisticated project to tackle deforestation, using financial innovation and complicated farming planning, the Prince summed it up saying: “It seems the quickest and most cost-effective way to buy time in the battle against catastrophic climate change is to find a way to make the trees worth more alive than dead.”

Journalists who did not pick up on the core message instead quoted his conclusion, based on emotional appeal: “Remember that our children and grandchildren will ask not what our generation said, but what it did. Let us give an answer, then, of which we can be proud.”

All that was missing, perhaps, was a more upbeat tone. “He sure needs a hug”, said one member of the audience afterwards.