The world waited with bated breath. The Guardian’s top editors analysed the letters sent between 2004 and 2005, searching for clues to political scandal and intrigue.
And then, er… nothing.
Where is the scandal? Where is the intrigue? Where is the big reveal that yes, he did orchestrate Diana’s death and oh BTW was totally bonking Margaret Thatcher too?
What the letters actually reveal is that Prince Charles is embarrassingly enthusiastic about the Patagonian toothfish, keen on alternative medicines, and exactly as dithering and buffoonish as you always suspected.
Observe:
“By the way, I wonder whether any thought might have been given to the possible role that could be played by the navies of the countries associated with the High Seas Task Force? I am probably being very ignorant about all this, so please forgive me, but is the Royal Navy, for instance, included in the discussions on this issue? I daresay you will tell me there are all sorts of legal problems that prevent any worthwhile action…!”
etc.
BTW, this is what a Patagonian toothfish looks like:
He’s a master in using approx. 50% more words than he needs to:
At the risk of being a complete bore about this, I do pray that we could discuss these matters more fully before irrevocable decisions are taken which could sacrifice the long-term value to be gained from the most sympathetic and “integrated” use of the assets.”
Yes, he wrote letters to ministers (sometimes at their request). Yes, he did try to get a certain individual (who’s name has been redacted) a role for an agricultural arbitrator.
And yes, he totally predicted in a letter to then-Prime Minister Tony Blair that writing to him was a bit risky, because who knows – someone might one day use the Freedom of Information Act to read it.
But TBH, these letters show a member of the royal family taking a keen interest in the country his family once upon a time ruled, but now lives off the benefits in return for being a tourist attraction.
Just because these letters are slightly disappointingly dull, doesn’t mean it’s all for nothing. It’s an important day for journalism, and reveals the extent to which the inner royal family (or at least one of them) are involved in the running of the country.
It’s just not high in the scandal stakes. Journalism: 1 | Tabloids: 0
It’s also not likely to be repeated, as the law was tightened in 2010 prohibiting the release of any correspondence between public authorities and the monarch or heir.
If you want to read the letters in full, head on over to The Guardian, but take coffee and/or something better to read.
