Charles’s royal rebuke

IN many respects, it is commendable that Prince Charles takes such a keen interest in affairs outside the monarchy.

Occasionally, however, the future king displays a tendency to meddle when he might sensibly step back.

Most interjections, while embarrassing, are harmless – for instance, the ‘ black spider memos’ to ministers on pet preoccupations such as homeopathy. But it’s troubling that Charles has received an unprecedented rebuke for supporting a paedophile bishop’s return to work. A damning inquiry found he was ‘misguided’ to back mentor Peter Ball, who was cautioned in 1993 for molesting a teenage monk. After Charles lobbied the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Ball was allowed to go back to preaching. He was eventually jailed for a string of sex attacks.

We accept Charles’s explanation that he was naively ‘deceived’ by Ball.

But this should be a salutary warning. As he shares more of the Queen’s duties as head of state, he must learn good intentions often have horrendous consequences.

Last year, Charles promised to stop meddling when he becomes sovereign, insisting: ‘ I’m not stupid.’ We sincerely hope he keeps his word.