Queen troubled over Charles' court case

Feb 24, 2006, 18:23 GMT

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II plans to put pressure on the Prince of Wales to drop his legal proceedings against a national newspaper if it becomes a full-blown trial, The Times reports.

The queen is troubled by the damaging publicity generated in the past three days by the prince's court battle over his Hong Kong travel journal.

The privacy hearing at the High Court came to an end yesterday.

The prince is still hoping for a summary judgment without trial, on his claim that his confidentiality and copyright has been breached by the newspaper.

If the judge rejects the summary judgment the case will go to a full trial, which could last up to two weeks, guaranteeing more potentially damaging headlines around the world.

The prospect of days of legal argument about his political views and manoeuvring has caused alarm among officials at Buckingham Palace.

They also fear the evidence of Mark Bolland, 39, the former deputy private secretary, whose witness statement alleged that the prince saw himself as a 'dissident' against prevailing political views.

A royal source is quoted in Britain's The Times newspaper as saying: 'There is a growing consensus that how ever well-intentioned it began, this case is turning into a disaster. Just imagine if there is pressure on the prince to give evidence.' Asked if the Queen was concerned, the source added: 'Of course she is.'

The Hong Kong journal revealed Charles' disdain for Tony Blair's government and his contempt for the Chinese President.

In the High Court yesterday Hugh Tomlinson, QC, who is handling the case for the prince, said: 'We accept that a public figure has got to be able to take it on the chin . . . but that doesn't mean he forfeits all privacy protection.'

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