Prince Charles has had 36 private
meetings with British Cabinet ministers in the last three years, a newspaper
revealed Monday, and the large number has spurred accusations that the heir to
the throne is meddling in politics. The Daily Mail compiled a list of the
meetings from public records. They include seven with Prime Minister David
Cameron since the May 2010 election.
The heir to the throne is
expected to be politically neutral, but 64-year-old Charles has expressed
strong opinions on issues including education, architecture, religion, the
environment, organic food and homeopathy.
The
meetings included seven with ministers responsible for energy and climate
change and five with environment ministers. In an editorial, the usually
pro-royal Daily Mail accused Charles of a "campaign of meddling."In
an editorial, the usually pro-royal Daily Mail accused Charles of a
"campaign of meddling."
"By
lobbying ministers behind closed doors, the prince appears to be using his
position to manipulate policy," the newspaper said. Charles' office said
Monday that the prince had a duty "to bring his unique perspective"
and experience into meetings with officials. It said the meetings were part of
Charles' preparations for becoming monarch, and that he contributed
"important insights, perspectives and knowledge built over 40 years of
experience in a range of areas aimed at transforming lives and building sustainable
communities."
Britain's
constitutional monarch has no political power, but meets regularly with prime
ministers and other senior politicians to talk about events of the day. In
contrast to her son, 87-year-old Queen Elizabeth II has not publicly expressed
personal opinions.
This is
not the first time concerns have been raised about Charles' political
activities. The government and the High Court have blocked a years-long bid by
the Guardian newspaper to force the disclosure of the prince's letters to
government officials. Attorney General Dominic Grieve said last year that the
"particularly frank" letters reflect Charles' personal views and
might give Britons the impression that their future monarch is not politically
neutral.
Source: The Daily Mail
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