Britain’s Prince Charles to speak out as king – report

LONDON, United Kingdom – Britain’s Prince Charles plans to make “heartfelt interventions” in national life when he becomes king, the Guardian newspaper reported Thursday, November 20, citing sources close to the outspoken heir to the throne.

The prince, who has long courted controversy with what some see as political meddling, will remain “true to his beliefs and contributions,” an unnamed source told the newspaper.

“Rather than a complete reinvention to become a monarch in the mold of his mother, the strategy will be to try and continue with his heartfelt interventions, albeit checking each for tone and content to ensure it does not damage the monarchy,” the source said.

Members of the royal family by convention do not comment on political affairs, and Queen Elizabeth II is famous for keeping her own counsel. 

However, her 66-year-old son Charles has come under criticism in the past for his outspoken remarks about everything from genetically modified food to architecture.  

Earlier this year he came under fire after he reportedly compared the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine to those of Adolf Hitler.

“The prince understands the need to be careful about how he expresses concerns or asks questions, but I do think he will keep doing exactly that,” Patrick Holden, an organic farmer and friend of the prince told the Guardian. 

“He is part of an evolving monarchy that is changing all the time. He feels these issues are too serious to ignore.”

The prince’s office, Clarence House, declined to comment on his future intentions.

“Speculation about the Prince of Wales’s future role as king has been around for decades but it is not something we have commented on and nor will we do so now,” a Clarence House spokeswoman told the Guardian.

“The Prince of Wales cares deeply about this country and has devoted most of his working life to helping individuals and organizations to make a difference for the better – and not for his personal gain.”

She said the prince carries out over 600 engagements a year, adding: “This gives him a unique perspective which has often led to him identifying issues before others which might otherwise be overlooked.”

On Tuesday, November 18, Charles spoke of the “soul destroying tragedy” facing Christians in the Middle East, as he addressed the congregation of the St Yeghiche Armenian Church in central London.

He said it was “heartbreaking” to hear of attacks on Christians and churches in Syria and the wider region. – Rappler.com