Prince Charles at 60: many believe that Britain needs an ‘active’ sovereign for the 21st century Photo: EPA
The Prince of Wales wants the traditional role of the monarch changed to allow him to speak out on the issues of the day when he becomes king, according to his biographer.
Telegraph | Nov 16, 2008
By Nick Allen
The Prince will break with the tradition which has seen monarchs, including the Queen, remain publicly silent on matters of national and international importance.
His friend and biographer Jonathan Dimbleby said: “There are now discreet moves afoot to redefine the future role of the sovereign so that it would allow King Charles III to speak out on matters of national and international importance in ways that at the moment would be unthinkable.”
The Queen has always ensured that her personal views are only voiced in private to the prime minister of the day and the privy council.
Mr Dimbleby said: “To breach this convention, however cautiously, would represent a seismic shift in the role of the sovereign. He told The Sunday Times it “has the potential to be constitutionally and politically explosive.”
The Prince’s official spokesman denied any knowledge of discussions about his role as king.
But Mr Dimbleby has been close to the Prince since writing his authorised biography, in which the Prince chose to reveal his adulterous relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, now his wife.
He said that, as King Charles III, the Prince would nt be as outspoken as he is now on subjects like climate change.
But he will speak “for the nation and to the nation” in a similar way to the Irish and German presidents.
Mr Dimbleby said: “Those who believe that Britain needs an ‘active’ sovereign for the 21st century claim that it would be a waste of his experience and accumulated wisdom for it to be straitjacketed within the confines of an annual Christmas message, or his weekly audience with the prime minister.
“Believing that he has his finger on the popular pulse, they think that he would be uniquely placed to offer reassurance and hope to the British people.”
3 responses so far ↓
snowfennec // November 19, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Disgraceful. If Charles wants a say in politics, he plan to resign from the throne and be elected to have a say in politics.
wil // November 29, 2008 at 3:50 am
I would be vastly inspired by his resignation.
But I’ve also been told recently I need a better attitude to get along.
pjwalker911 // November 29, 2008 at 6:28 am
Not nice to criticize neofeudalism. Must not think negative thoughts. Always keep a happy smiling face, bow and curtsy when adressing royalty, then leave the room being sure not to show your backside to His Majesty. Then be sure you never say anything that can be construed as an insult to His Royal Hindass.