You would hope that some one (sic) who knows so very little about constitutions would keep mum at least until he typed "british constitution" into the easily accessible service he is using, this here Internet thingmy which can be used to GET education and not only try to scream it at others.

BangkokAl, Bangkok, Thailand

While I may not agree with all that the Prince has said in the past, if you were to ask the people who have to live in Council Housing what kind of home they wish to live in I would bet the Prince comes a lot closer than the architects.

dick, jamaica, usa/ny

Maybe next time the good Prince comes to visit us here in the colonies, he could share a Duchy Originals pastry with Al Gore in Gore's energy-guzzling McMansion. The topic of discussion could be the tragic failure of the inferior classes to listen to their betters and do the Right Thing. But, hey, at least the Prince flew commercial on his last visit. That's more than Prince Al does. What would we do without these glittering intellects?

And of course "Adam" from New Jersey is right. We need more people to tell us all how to live properly. I'll return the favor, Adam. Don't forget to rotate your tires!

Victor Erimita, Portland, Oregon, USA

you would hope that some one who was ignorant enough to speak of a british "constitution" would have learned not to speak ill of others in such dramatic terms.

jAMES PATE, santa cruz, ca

In my view, everybody is entitled to their opinion. As fo Charles, he is a member of the British Royal Family. In 1776 some members of the British Empire chose to ban King George and name the land U.S of A. If the future King's opinion is to ban an American company then frankly I can't fault him.

On another note - Here in Thailand there are plenty MacD's and plenty fat young Thai kids. Child obesity is now a major issue here. It is not the calorie content of the food that is the problem, it is the availability.

As for his Cornish pasties, they are a little bit harder to find and I would love the chance to buy one where I live.

Dave S, Ayutthaya, Thailand

I'm not sure about the UK, but here in the US a pasty is a tasselly thing exotic dancers wear over their nipples. So you can imagine my disappointment when I discovered on the Prince's website that "Duchy Originals organic Cornish pasties" was a meat-filled doughnut. It does however demonstrate exactly why banning MacDonald's is "key" as fair competition in the marketplace is obviously out of the question. Besides, how many comfort food brands do the posh actually require?

peter jackson, Austin, , TX

You know, as an American, it amazes me how my fellow citizens feel the need to comment and take cheap shots at their country and fellow citizens in a foreign outlet. Apparently Adam feels there should be more public figures like Charles to lobby for the heavy boot of the state to come down on the neck of its people. You know, for their own good. After all, he is a registered dietitian and as such knows most people are far too stupid to make their own decisions and would prefer the state make those decisions instead. Your know, for our own good.

buzz, Wichita,

i don't find the pundit funny at all. Charles is simply saying take care of your children's diets and they will be healthier and he said it in an amusing way. Perhaps the mean-spirited pundit is slamming a wittier man than he is! I wouldnt knock charles' intellect, either. He is smart enough to eat right, make a profit for charities off his food line, and can paint, play the cello, act, can be very amusing and so forth, as well as take an interest in lovely architecture instead of the monoglass bore that architecture has become in the past sixty or so awful years. It's a real trial to have to look at that ugly stuff all over. Architects should have to study the fine arts and learn to draw and paint and sculpt and study the color wheels and classical artists. ditto for musicians and music studio heads in hollywood. I am so very bored with whiny electric guitars and canned music by people who can't sing or play their instruments and dropped out of the eighth grade to become our entertainers. At least Charles is educated and has something to say that is positive.

wendym, anywhere, usa

The objections to the present arrangement for filling the position of our Head of State are that there is no choice and the position is for life. Mike Spence asks for alternatives to Charles - should it be Blair or Kinnock? This is an unfair question, though for a 5 year spell I would prefer Blair to Charles. There are many worthy citizens who could be considered and the Irish have chosen well for their last two Presidents. For the reasons Stephen Pollard gives, Charles seems quite unsuitable, but let him subject himself to a vote if he wishes.

John Barry, Cromer, Norfolk, UK

Compared to the US, the UK seems to have the worst of both worlds -- imprudent policies via its prime ministers and the extra expense of a hereditary head of state. After all, the monarchy did not keep Mr. Blair from plunging into Iraq with our own imprudent president. Hereditary monarchy may work quite well when the monarch is as capable as the current queen, but the vagaries of genetics make it unlikely that the monarch will consistently meet such a high standard. I am afraid the UK may not have been so lucky when they rolled the dice on the next generation of the monarchy.

John Blenkiron, Denver, Colorado, USA

You know, as an American, it amazes me how my fellow citizens feel the need to comment on things they know nothing about. But then again I suppose it is this kind of meddling that gets us into ridiculous foreign confilcts. All that aside, while HM has taken a largely ceremonial role in her government, she still retains certain reserve powers which she may use at her discretion. Being from a constitutional republic, most American's have no concept with regard to the workings of a parliamentary monarchy. Then again most American's have no clue how our republic is governed. My point is maybe the world would be a better place if people would pick up a book and read before they decide to open their mouths. As far as Charles' comments on fast food, more power to him. As a registered dietitian I have spent a good deal of my professional, adult life trying to educate people on their dietary decision making. We need more public figures like Charles to point out this epidemic.

Adam, Salem County, New Jersey

It’s very interesting that 3 of the 6 comments so far come from the USA. “royalty should be abolished”, “produce nothing of value(other than spoiled brat children)” and “The monarchy is draining the coffers of the British people”. Whether or not one agrees with these opinions it is illuminating to hear from those who live in a republic. I would have thought that the relative powerlessness of our Head of State was an advantage given the damage that some Presidents inflict. This post is from an Englishman living in France.

Nicholas Moore, Paris, France

Bianca Cox clearly does not understand the position of the British Head of State. Would she suggest an alternative such as the last two Presidents of the USA? Could she be disloyal enough to criticise her own Heads of State? Who would she suggest as alternatives to our Royal Family - Blair, Kinnock or some cash donor to the political party of the moment? Bianca should leave us to our own constitutional monarchical system - it works better than many presidencies.

Mike Spence, Streatley, Berkshire

I am no monarchist and have no particular liking for Prince Charles, but being paid to be a loudmouth is no defence against the charge. Clearly, imbicility and buffoonery are not confined to the Royal family.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

I fully agree with Robert of Brighton. The Prince, making conversation miles away in the Gulf, utters an off-the-cuff remark to someone, and Pollard concludes he's a loudmouth. I don't happen to agree with HRH on this occasion - a sensible approach to eating is all that's needed, not a ban on McDonalds - but generally we get a lot more commonsense from him than from many politicians and journalists. But most of the time we don't actually hear anything from him, as he's busy doing his various jobs, including his charitable work with the Prince's Trust.

Barry, Wallington, UK

The monarchy is draining the coffers of the British people. They produce nothing, yet live large on the welfare of the government. The English Diana diluted and improved the German strain of the British "royalty.'" evidenced by the decent looks and common touch of her sons. She was used and abused by the "royals." May she rest in peace and may the "royals" all go the way of the dinasaur.

Bianca Cox, Huntsville, , Al, 35801

I fully agree with Stephen Pollard's article. Unlike Robert of Brighton, I do not consider it rude. Stephen is reacting only because Charles opened his mouth without thinking through what he was saying. I am sure Stephen would not write anything like this about the Queen as she chooses her speech carefully. Charles takes undue advantage of his position. He gets a soap box whenever he wants and his words are publicised, even if they do not merit any attention. I am sure that without his title, Charles' words would not be selected for publication in the Debate section of Timesonline.

Vinay Mehra, Purley, Surrey

I have ofter wondered what real function the Royal Family provides to the UK...other than providing cheap entertainment for the "subjects" and providing employment for thousands at tabloid publishers.
They have no power to govern, pass no laws, produce nothing of value(other than spoiled brat children). Tradition is what carries them along, but for what purpose?

Daniel, Delafield, Wisconsin, USA

I presume this is Mr. Pollard earning his hack's crust. So the Prince of Wales is "loudmouth, a danger to the constitution and a buffoon all at the same time" and because one item in the Duchy food range is equivalent to a Big Mac he is a hypocrite.

Mr. Pollard's views on how to be a perfect prince are only to be guessed as being 'silent, a constitutional strength and font of wisdom.' Gosh did Mr. Pollard read Bagehot at school? There are of course arguments to be had but Mr. Pollard has not advanced one. Such vacuous rudeness in the press widens the gap between those in public life and the public and is also an insult to readers.

robert, brighton,

The whole institution of supposed royalty should be abolished and the castles converted into public places. Charles and the whole family ought to get jobs or go on the dole.

phil Greene, houston, Tx

How wonderful of you to show such respect for someone with whom you disagree. Contrary to your opinion, you do not have a monopoly over wisdom.

David Williams, Eastnor, England