Connect to share and comment

Prince Charles' secret letters not to be released

Britain's Attorney General has ruled the Prince of Wales "opinionated" letters to government will remain secret.

prince charles 6 14 2012Enlarge
Britain's Prince Charles inspects the Guard of Honour at the Fort York Armoury for the 1812 Commemorative Military Muster in Toronto, May 22, 2012. (AFP/Getty Images)

The "opinionated" letters written by Prince Charles to the British government will remain secret, Britain's Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, ruled today.

The decision overrules three judges who decided last month that the public had a right to see what sort of advice the prince was offering to government ministers.

Grieve described the letters as "particularly frank," and said Britons reading them might not think the prince is politically neutral, as a monarch must be, ABC News reported.



The Guardian reported the battle for access to the letters began in 2005 when the Guardian submitted freedom of information requests to see the prince's letters to ministers over a seven-month period.

It followed widespread criticisms of the prince for "meddling" in government affairs and seeking to persuade ministers to change policy.

He is believed to write to ministers arguing his personal point of view and expressing his opinion. 

Critics have long held the view the prince should stay out of government policy because he is not democratically elected.


Featured Slideshow

Rio lagoon filled with 65 tons of dead fish
