HRH Prince Charles' Diary: Now Public

Over the past 72 hours, a real storm has broken over what the heir apparent to the British throne thinks. This is a reassuring, because as an avid republican, I suspected that there wansn't much in the way of grey matter between those big ears of his. The revelations spawn from a seperate suit brought by one of his courtiers.

Charles didn't want the extracts revealed; his barristers argued that he was entitled to his view as a private citizen. He later dropped this, as public opinion showed he had overstepped the mark by actively lobbying ministers and senior public servants on many areas. He overstepped the role of the monarch (or soon to be monarch) inside the British political system. It's what you expect from the son of the Duke of Edinburgh (Phillip). Frank, to the point of rudeness, and the constant use of "one" ,as in one should always put the toilet seat down after use. He didn't say that, I did.

The most potentially damaging entries come from the handover of Hong Kong to China, where he describes Tony Blair as too focused on focus groups to really care about the History of HRY Britannia, or calling the Chinese Politburo old waxworks. In Australia, the role of the Governor General includes being the Chair of the Privy Council, made up of (Her Majesty's) Ministers. When legislation is being discussed, the chair of the privy council can make suggestions to it, and they are incorporated. Former High Court justices who have become Governors General were well known for their contributions to legislation. The Queen goes through her "red boxes" from ministers and No.10.

I think the media, especially the Daily Mail (who have been the circus masters) who have exposed Charles as normal. He has opinions, and this is positive. As much as I regale myself when the Royal Family get themselves into trouble, I haven't had the same satisfaction here. The comments in his diaries are not meant for public consumption, the only things the public should know about is the speeches he made at the time, telling them (truthfully) that Hong Kong was a place where East and West have been able to work together positively. From the ceremony, and the details he describes, many would agree with him.

Some are just arrogant beyond anything I've ever read. He complained of being put upstairs (business class) on a 747 flight to Hong Kong, while the Minsters of the Crown, and other important people were in First. He forgot to mention that he and his entourage were its only occupants, and they had that section of the plane to themselves. Thats where I snigger a little.