Prince Charles' private letters to government ministers, made public by the UK Supreme Court in 2015, are known as the '(What?) memos', due to his handwriting style?
Charles, Prince of Wales Government Meeting, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Letters sent by Prince Charles to government ministers during 2004 and 2005—the so-called black spider memos—presented potential embarrassment following a challenge by "The Guardian" newspaper to release the letters under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In March 2015, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom decided that the Prince's letters must be released. The letters were published by the Cabinet Office on 13 May 2015. Reaction to the memos upon their release was largely supportive of Charles, with little criticism of him. The memos were variously described in the press as "underwhelming" and
Black spider memos typed up. After the letters are returned to Charles to sign, he often adds additional comments in flowing black or red ink across the page using underlining and exclamation marks. It is these additions and his distinctive spirally handwriting that have given his letters their nickname. Charles has written to ministers on the understanding that his remarks are private. Letters to ministers have also been sent from the Prince's charities, foundations and campaign groups. These letters have been described as "advocacy correspondence", written by the Prince to advance the work of his charities or in an attempt to promote his