Prince Charles should not be King - says expert

Jul 12, 2006, 14:18 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles should stand aside and allow his son William to be the next King, expert has claimed.

Constitutional affairs writer Professor Robert Blackburn said Charles is unsuitable to inherit the throne because of his outspoken political comments.

In excerpts of his new book 'King And Country', published on Royalist.com, Blackburn explained: 'Prince William has grown into his public role more successfully than anyone could have hoped for.

'Meanwhile, his father has entered late middle age more outspoken than ever before and less tolerant of the media and the irritants that go with being heir to the throne.'

The Prince of Wales has previously spoken out about genetically modified food, education and the government.

Despite Charles' reported criticism of Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister is openly supportive of the Prince.

He was quoted as saying: 'I think Prince Charles does an amazing job for the country. He is entitled to express his views.'

However, other politicians were outraged, when Charles wrote a letter, slamming government departments.

MP Stephen Pound fumed: 'We pay for him to have someone to squeeze his toothpaste onto his toothbrush and he stays out of politics. That's the deal.'

Blackburn insists Charles must learn to curb his comments - and warns his behaviour could destroy the British monarchy.

If Charles continues to speak out about political issues, he says, problems may arise, as all Government Bills must be given royal assent by the ruling monarch, before they can be passed as law.

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International