I find it reprehensible that the Prince, who has not visited the US in two decades, has the audacity to publicly suggest that the most diverse nation in the world needs a sermon in race relations and religious tolerance from the country whose implementation of artificial boundaries and artificial governments in its former empire is the root cause for much of the conflict in the Middle East today. Is Charles aware that the US hosts the largest Arab population outside the Arab World? Last time I checked the Arab-American population wasn’t having problems with assimilation, honour killings, or suicide bombers which is more than can be said for Arab nationals in the UK. Perhaps the Bushes need to visit Clarence House to give the Prince a lesson in reality as well as one in history. I’m certainly not alone in thinking its greatly to Charles’ advantage that his visit here is of such little consequence to the vast majority in this country.
J Van Kirk, Madison, AL, USACharles seems to have an urge to ape his father, the very outspoken Prince Philip. He seems to feel he is entitled to preach his viewpoints and stances on a wide range of subjects. The problem is, he is abusing his position as a Royal Figurehead, and as he is not an elected official, it is highly inappropriate behaviour which many of us resent. Imagine the Queen sermonizing every time she appears in public ! If, and when, Prince Charles becomes King, he will need to curb this habit of lecturing people in his own country and also when he is a guest in other people's nations. He seems to be a very obtuse individual who is wrapped up in his own needs to the exclusion of common sense. Jane Wallace, Vancouver, Canada
Yes, Bush should listen politely to Prince Charles, but should heed the voice of the common people, who put him in power. He has yet to do that, and judging from his record, is not likely to ever do so. Prince Charles is just one person born into privileged circumstances (like Bush). He deserves his say, but that´s about it as far as I´m concerned, and his opinion has no more value than anyone else´s. Kenneth Shockley, Loredo, TX, USA
Bush should listen to Prince Charles with exactly the same attention most Brits listen to the Queen's Christmas broadcast. Not necessarily because what Charles says does not make sense, but because in this republic the only royalty we need or want resides in our tabloids. Inna Tysoe, Sacramento, USA
There is a reluctance in Bush's circle to admit that global warming is a reality. Writers like Michael Crichton share a similar view. Clearly there are different views in the EU. It's not clear what Charles's constitutional role is and who he speaks for. I suppose this ambiguity allows him to play the role of maverick. I don't think it does any harm for him to raise these issues. Hugo Peters, Dallas, TX, USA
The UK has fallen in love with the sound of its own voice in recent years. It used to be that you'd expect more proselytising from the US than from these shores; now any numbers of people in public life, including a worrying number of footballers and minor celebrities, are keen to give you the moral standpoint on any number of issues. Prince Charles should buck the trend and be mature enough to realise that nothing he says will make the slightest scrap of difference to George Walker Bush, presuming Dubya actually understands what the old stick is saying. Jonathan Jones, London
Prince Charles does us all a great favour by bringing attention to ecological and environmental problems. I'm absolutely certain that President Bush would not even allow me into one of his town meetings, let alone personally listen to my views. Ray McPherson, Palm Springs, CA, USA
Bush should listen to Prince Charles as a courtesy. However, if he ignores the advice then this is his prerogative and rightly so since Prince Charles is not an elected official of the UK. While one might substantially agree with Prince Charles's socio-political views, he has no right to force them on others. Moreover, it is very easy for him to preach from his position of privilege. A statement which applies equally well to other pontificating celebrities like, for example, Bob Geldof. Paul Pickering, Camberley, Surrey
What an excellent battle! Something akin to the two stooges, or maybe Bill and Ben ...? Apologies for making light of a serious topic, but it's so hard to take either of these public figures seriously. Tragically, they both hold one of the keys to our future. Lord help us. Carey Gunn, London
I agree with Prince Charles's views and he most certainly should have said what he did. There are very few people in the world with access to world leaders and nothing to lose - no fears of re-election risk or commercial repercussions. It is the duty of those people - royal families, wealthy artists like Bono, and commoners with wealth beyond measure like Paul Allen and Bill Gates - to continue to act and speak against intolerance, injustice and vandalism. Bad things happen when good people say nothing! Damian Clarke, London
I do agree with Prince Charles that emissions should be cut. However, I think that the Prince is an inappropriate spokesperson. Watching the news last week, I saw him driving around in a Land Rover, well known for guzzling petrol, before telling us all that we should cut emissions. He then flew to America this week in a privately commissioned Air Force plane, which I would presume uses far more fuel per passenger than a British Airways 747. With Charles, it seems to be a case of "do what I say and not what I do". Not the best example to be setting! Name and address withheld
When Bush has access to experts on any subject and the best brains in the world why should he or anybody listen to a middle-aged, moderately educated, twice married, narrow-minded, never employed self-opinionated person? Is it just because through some quirk of history he has acquired a lot of wealth? Vinay Mehra, Purley, Surrey
Anyone who tries to get some sense into Bush's head is okay by me. Stephen Beal, Loveland, Colorado
It would be wonderful if George W. took heed of Prince Charles's words, although only an optimist would expect him to do so when he has consistently proved to be deaf to criticisms of his slack attitude to environmental issues and his paranoic zeal with regard to wiping out terrorism. They could learn a lot from each other. Prince Charles seems to be a reflective, tolerant sort with a conscientious awareness of noblesse oblige (his marital situation excepted). George would do well to learn some of this sensitivity. In turn Dubya could perhaps impart some skills in wielding power without the benefit of intellect or ability. Maybe an annual exchange could be arranged? Julia Dance, London
I heartily agree with Prince Charles, at least on the subjects he raised at his White House speech. America is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) user of fuel, thereby causing most pollution in the world and yet we snub the Kyoto accord. What cheek! There have been electric car prototypes here since the 1960s but the government's interests would not be served by utilising this technology, so they have not been mass produced and readily available for the public. When a UK friend came to visit, she was amazed by the size of the vehicles we drive here ... all gas guzzlers! My mother's Oldsmobile could be used as temporary housing for a family of four, at least. Because of the current soaring prices of gasoline the SUV market is finally feeling pinched. Personally, I would like to know who decided that Hummers should be allowed on the roads. Is there a safari going on here somewhere? Too bad it has to hurt the wallet for us to pay attention, instead of just common sense and respect for Mother Earth. Jillian Cunningham, Boston, Massachusetts
While the media in both the UK and the US has taken potshots at the various ensembles worn by the Duchess during this tour, substantive coverage of the Prince's concerns has been minimal. As a Floridian, I daily see the evidence of global warming, a problem duly dismissed by our President. In addition, the catastrophe along the Gulf coast is amply demonstrating the environmental damage due, in part, to the release of various chemicals, including agricultural products, into these fragile ecosystems. Perhaps all of us, on both sides of the Atlantic, should take the Prince's concerns more seriously. He is a thoughtful individual whom I believe is truly concerned about the world our grandchildren will inherit. I wish I could say as much for our current president. Judith Sayre, Ponte Vedra, Florida
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