Journal of a Prince

The Prince of Wales. Prince Charles. Yes, the ex husband of Princess Diana, is in trouble again.

Now the Prince has always been in a bit of a bind. He's the King in waiting, waiting behind an extremely popular, long living and very diplomatic mother.

And he's spent most of his life searching for a role. Trying to find something to do that's really useful in a society that doesn't really want the Royal family to do anything at all. And certainly doesn't want them causing trouble and getting involved in politics.

But the Prince has become increasingly angry with what he sees as being wrong with the world and increasingly eager to make his opinions known. And now his enthusiasm has rebounded on him. Because this week, the heir to the British throne is involved in a legal battle in London's High Court, trying to prevent a national newspaper publishing extracts from his private journal.

Now, the journal is interesting because the Prince is pretty uncomplimentary about some of the world leaders he's met. He likened the Chinese leadership to a bunch of waxworks. He complained of being forced to travel Business Class on British Airways as all the First Class seats were taken. He lamented that politicians never learn and are always in a hurry.

But all this was meant for his eyes and the eyes of his friends only. And why shouldn't he write confidentially to his pals?

This court case has been fascinating because it's become apparent that the Prince takes his rather vague public role very seriously indeed and makes a business of stepping outside the Royal family's job description.

What emerges is a Prince who has a view on almost everything and isn't slow in making those views known, in a country where the Royals are constitutionally bound to be above politics.

He's against GM foods, against a good deal of modern architecture and against nanotechnology. He's in favour of organic food and farming, healthy hospital design and homeopathic medicine. All things that many of us would probably agree with.

A former aide described Prince Charles as seeing himself as a bit of a dissident working against the political tide and using the press to help him. A dissident? That's a step too far.

Charles is angry, there's no doubt about that. He's fit to be tied. But is he fit to be King?
by Simon Bates