‘Meddling’ is a royal privilege

HE has always tried to steer clear of party political disputes, but Prince Charles has racked up a long list of controversies in which he has meddled.

From architecture, to the environment, education, and alternative medicines, Charles has rarely shied away from a fight.

In 1984 he used a speech at the 150th anniversary gala evening of the Royal Institute of British Architects to attack plans for an extension to the National Gallery as a “monstrous carbuncle”.

In 2009 he used his ties to the Qatari royal family to persuade them to drop their chosen scheme for a £3billion redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks in London.

Charles sees part of the role of the Prince of Wales as advising and cautioning ministers and voicing opinions of ordinary people. It is his “black spider memos” to those in power that have prompted repeated allegations of meddling.

Labour’s former Education Secretary David Blunkett has claimed the Prince lobbied him and other ministers in Tony Blair’s governments to bring back grammar schools.

He also lobbied ministers to put complementary medicine – homeopathic remedies – on the NHS, although studies had shown they had no health benefits.

In 1999 he sparked a bitter row after publicly questioning the safety of genetically-modified food.