LONDON: Britain’s top court on Thursday ruled that secret letters from Prince Charles to government ministries should be published, in a potential setback for the monarchy seen as a victory for media freedoms.

“The Supreme Court dismisses the attorney general’s appeal,” read the ruling, after the government went to court to prevent the publication of secret letters believed to show Charles interfering in politics.

The ruling was immediately praised by the Guardian newspaper, which had brought the case to court, but criticised by the prince’s official residence, Clarence House, and Prime Minister David Cameron.

“Clarence House is disappointed the principle of privacy has not been upheld,” a spokesman said. The long-running case relates to 27 items of correspondence sent in 2004 and 2005 by Charles, who is known for his outspoken views on the environment and energetic activism on social issues.

The letters were sent to seven government departments and the previous attorney general, who stopped their publication on the basis that they reflected the prince’s “most deeply held personal views and beliefs”.

There is concern that their publication could harm the royal family’s image of political neutrality in a country where the monarch “reigns but does not rule”.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2015

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