Posted on 04/04/2005 5:35:15 AM PDT by NZerFromHK
[World News] London, Apr 3 : Britain's Prince Charles sees the BBC as "an example of everything he dislikes", viewing it as "statist and left-leaning" media organisation, a newspaper reported today.
The Prince's views, revealed by a friend, help explain his outburst against BBC's royal correspondent, Nicholas Witchell, last week during a holiday in the Swiss Alps, 'The Independent on Sunday' reported.
"I can't bear that man," the Prince was overheard saying at a Klosters photo-call in Switzerland. "He's so awful."
The paper said that Witchell may be comforted to know he is in good company.
"He (Charles) has disliked every one of the BBC's correspondents," a friend of the Prince and his partner Camilla Parker Bowles told the paper.
Charles supporters said months of baiting by media over the wedding of the Prince with Camilla this Friday had driven him to distraction, the report said. PTI
Well that cinches it. He'll never be King.
I woke up and headline said 'hell hath frozen over'.
Most likely, it's an attempt to make the media hate Charles even more than they do.
In another thread, they were referring to him as Charles the Last.
Well thats it then the Monarchy is doomed! :)
I don't know why I can't keep it straight, in Europe, left is same as left here?..seems like I was told its the other way around
He will never be king because he will die of old age before his mother does.
In the post-WWII world when the old order in Europe died, leftist means socialist world a bit like Sweden is governed in practice. There was a minority of left that wanted to remake Europe in US founding's image in 19th century Europe, but it is nowadays classified as pro-market moderates by continental European standards. (eg Free Democratic Party in Germany)
What old order died in Europe after WW2?
And if he doesn't, they will make sure he dies shortly thereafter.
Who would make sure he dies?
I think you are right about him popping his clogs. Charles is right about the BBC news. They do make great comedies still so there is some hope.
Things like a land aristocracy in Britain, an upper class adhering to traditional ideals of a stratified society in France, "traditional" monarchy in Romania, and a traditional monarchist class in Germany.
Prince Charles' enthusiasm on the New Age moevment, multicultural ecumenism, and deep environmental (revealed in books such as Jonathan Dimbleby's authorized biography, which I'm current reading) make me think that he would be a great fan of the Guardian/BBC/Daily Mirror chattering class. Is he incoherent here, or is he just muttering something right by accident?
Well there is still an aristocracy in Britain, the French still have the same class system as after the revolution and the monarchist class in Germany was powerless before WW2, Hitler made sure of that. I cannot speak of Romania, but I think your analysis of the others is suspect.
He is pro-environmental but he is also very bound in English tradition with hunting, guns and culture. I would think he despises the press for their "progressive socialism" as much as any other country gentlemen.
I thought he would rather have liked a left-leaning and statist organisation.
I'm thoroughly gobsmacked.
Regards, Ivan
'baiting by media over the wedding of the Prince with Camilla this Friday had driven him to distraction'
Yes, but is it a very long trip? I don't think so.
There was a steep decline of the fortune among landed aristocracy in Britain after WWII - Labour government introduced confiscatory inheritance tax rates. Their influence on national political discourse likewise declined and so much so that they seem to be more like celebrities today. (In pre-WWII Britain many of them did hold onto jobs like the military, senior government ministers, etc - but post-WWII wise, the only significant inherited aristocracy government minister was Lord Carrington)
Germany before WWII still had the traditional aristocrats and princely relations living in their former palaces or homes, and they still formed a significant power bloc (interestingly the Nazis rode on their back - these conservatives thought they could use Hitler and then push him aside). They was still hope of restoring the IMperial system right up to 1933. Of course WWII and postwar development means these aristocrats are now just like you and I and the old conservative ideas have become marginalized.
Likewise, even in France, you could argue that right up to WWII monarchists and traditional aristocrats (Action Francaise) still maintained a degree of influence on French life. After WWII and particularly since the advent of the Fifth Republic their influence on France is practically nil.
Romania - a monarchy becoming Communist dictatorship following WWII. Of course the old order is clearly different in this case.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.