A man raised in such an environment will have political and philosophical insights not afforded to those who have not been exposed to such workings. A change of this magnitude could be very positive or result in disaster, which either way will affect the entire world, not just the United Kingdom.

Kelci, Hampden, United States of America

When will Britain evolve beyond feudalism?

irishorse, Philadelphia, Pa, US

The article imagines that Charles will, by the Grace of God, live to ascend the throne upon the death of the current monarch.
Such distasteful speculation, oblique as it may be, reveals the heir apparent to be an heir presumptuous. Not his best portrait yet.

Long, long, long live the Queen.

Théophile Pike, Ottawa , Canada

Prosecute republicans under the 1703 Treason Act? Michael Ross will find the Treason Felony Act of 1848 more applicable. I can't wait. Few people in the UK are real monarchists which is why we no longer have the National Anthem in cinemas. Prosecuting a few republicans will see the monarchy ditched.

Patrick Bryan, Wolverhampton, UK

Hopefully Charles Von Battenburg will be the last of the sectarian line of British monarchs. This may end the situation where British people would rather see a German Protestant King, than a British Catholic one.

Fionn, Yinchuan,

This is what you get when you tell a group of people, the "Royal Family", that they are by birth different to other mortals, entitled by birth to a role in Government. I wonder how far they would have got by their own efforts, not very far. With luck Charlie will see the monarchy into oblivion.

Patrick Bryan, Wolverhampton, UK

Charles Windsor may have 60 years of experience. I have 64 but no one is going to listen to me unless I stand for election and win the support of voters. Charles Windsor occupies the position he does by accident of birth alone.. If he wants to take part in politics he should stand for election!

Barbara Burfoot, Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

If Charles Windsor wants to take part in politics he should stand for election. The British Monarch is a non executive head of state. It is his or her role to stand apart from political controversy not take part in it. If he can't accept that then he cannot succeed to the throne.

Barbara Burfoot, Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

If Charles wants to use the monarchical succession to promote his worldview to us hios subjects-- then I will grab my pitchfork and march down to Buckingham Palace to join the angry mob.

Stephen Henderson, Brixton, UK

This folly will help to hasten the end of monarchy is Britain.

Christopher Squire, Twickenham, UK

This is wonderful, except the King will need to avoid controversies, which would only hurt the future. One of the reasons monarchy is loved is because it is above the petty fads and whims of partisan politics. To dabble in this mess of pottage is to lower one’s self. Let the politicians do the dirty

Peter Harradine, Reno, Nevada, USA

What is wrong with British monarchists? How can they talk disparagingly about dictatorships and then pledge subservience to an unelected hereditary head of state? Surely, deep down, they know that the monarchy has no place in a modern democracy. Run for president, Charlie, and let the people decide!

Mike, Bath, England

Hm - I personally like Prince Charles and agree with a lot of his views, but this worries me. The fact that hardly anyone has a bad word to say about the Queen is because she never expresses an opinion. People may support this now but how will they feel when he expresses a view the don't agree with?

Ed, Melbourne, Australia

He has a wealth of knowledge in these political areas. Has met leaders and entrepreneurs from across the globe - for decades, so I think he might know a little more than the average taxi driver! Seriously, doesn't 60 years of experience count for anything!?

louise, Brighton, uk

I am saddened by the level of comment about the monarchy for which, in my opinion, we are fortunate to have within the political structure of our country. And if a monarch chooses to engage, with careful consideration, on matters of importance to the nation, will this not be for the better?

Peter GB, Kingston, ON, Canada

the Monarchy will disappear...just like the Pound and Imperial measurements....I can't wait

michael, london,

I am also a YouGov member and I wasn't asked either ! Its about time people realised, it's taking long enough, The UK is not a fully developed democracy, its a part time job, like our so called politicians. Our Dear Leader did not gain his exhalted position by the Will of the People. Parachuted in

Phil de Buquet, Newport,

About time too. It's the King's government and he is free to say whatever he wishes. The monarchs' decision over the last hundred years to say nothing has made them come across as boring and powerless. And for Gods sake when are they going to start charging republicans under the Treason Act 1702

Michael Ross, London,

accumulated experience and wisdom? What sycophantic nonsense.All of us can offer that with advancing years.Being King does not automatically endow him with wisdom unless he believes in the divine right of kings that got the first Charles into toruble, nor does it give his views extra relevance.

Stewart Mackie, Rothwell Northants, UK

Allowing Charles to speak out doesn't seem that absurd to me....LISTENING to what he has to say may be a different matter.

Ollie, Baltimore, USA

he is full of himsel! Probably because he does not live in the real world. He would not cope if he had to hold down a normal job without his advisors and sycophantics
standing in the wings.

james, hove,

America's more evolved. We don't need a king. We may have losers as rulers at times, but we don't have to keep them for life!

Mel, Miami, USA

"So that his knowledge and experience are not wasted?" Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha .............

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

"The Windsors can't be voted out. Yet!"

Yes they can! If Parliament scrapped the Act of Settlement that gives her crown, then Elizabeth would no longer be Queen. She would however be required to sign her own death warrant but constitutionally she cannot refuse.

Mark, Newcastle, England

As soon as he becomes king he will be "the best monarch this country has ever had". It is in the very essence of sycophantic monarchism that this is always true. His mother presently is. So were his grandfather, greatgrandfather etc. So no doubt were John and Charles I.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

des, me lad, to make any comparison between Bush and the royal family, is laughable and insulting to all Brits.

As a Scot, I'm no big fan of the royal family, but I do recognise its value to Britain, especially in spreading goodwill overseas, something Bush has never done for the USA.

Judy, Palo Alto, California, USA

Thank-you Charles for promoting the end of the British monarchy.

Long live the Queen!

Walter, McMahon, SK, Canada

Oh my God!
Allowing Charles to speak out on international affairs is about as logical as Obama asking my 6 year old daughter's opinion on world affairs.

roslin, Rhyader, Wales

Why shouldn't he say what he wants? His father's been doing so for years and quite frankly, not that many people listened. If the monarchy is as anachronistic and has as ridiculous views as some people think, Charles' opinions won't be that influential anyway.

And anyway, freedom of speech?

Lydia, London,

The British monarchy is a beautiful tradition that shows how this great nation came about. Why would anyone want to get rid of it? The anti-monarchists should embrace their heritage by supporting the monarchy. Do you really want to get rid of them and become like almost every other country?

Robin Castellanos, San Antonio, TX, USA

Long Live the Queen!

Robert, Sacramento, California, USA

this would be the equivalent of having George Bush president for life

des mcentee, london, england

Question the monarchy by all means but try to come up with a better system. The US head of state buys the position and they ended up with GWB......great. Italy has a loose cannon and law unto himself. Zimbabwe, now there is a thought . We might as well stick with what we knowt.

mike gee, bournemouth, uk

If Charles is to be a politician he can by advocating a British Republic. In a Republic anyone can stand for Parliament, join or form a political Party and even offer himself as a candidate for president of the country. But to be a political King would mean he would be a dictator for life.

scott Reeve, Malmesbury, England

"This is going to be like a taxi driver running the country."

kevin merchant, ware, uk

If the taxi driver is democratically elected to be head of state then that's fine by me, it's called democracy. He'd probably do a good job but if not we can vote him out. The Windsors can't be voted out. Yet!

Dick Wells, Bodmin, UK

If Chuck wants to speak out on political issues, he should abdicate, then he gets the right to vote, like the rest of us. If he really wants to be involved in politics, he <i>must</i> abdicate and ask for the public's mandate in an election.

John Flemming, Scunthorpe, UK

If Charles genuinely wanted to have his views taken seriously, he would stand for public office rather than use the hollow celebrity of his unelected position as a platform. Time to either put up or shut up. He wishes to eat brioche and have it!

Joe Coten, London,

I've hardly seen politicians doing any better. A lot of his views represent the common sense that politicians in their self-interest refuse to speak. I like the idea of an active sovereign.

Debbie, London,

OK then, all you anti monarchists... Please name one single British politician of any party who has a) a better idea of how to run the country and b) a single politician who is more popular than Prince Charles or the Queen.

Paul, Saigon,

Religion should have no part in Government. Allegiance to the Bishop of Rome should be as unconstitutional as allegience to the Bishop of Canterbury. Both Churches have committed grave sins on ordinary folk.
Ban religion, and this World would instantly be a better place.

David Michael, London, UK

"Experience and accumulated wisdom" - the TV programme this week on Charles at 60 reminded me of the comment on the Bourbons - "They forgot nothing, and they learnt nothing".

Anyone who spends 60 years never having been contradicted to his face, will finish up with a peculiar view of the world.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

For this enormous change to his constitutional position, should the electorate be consulted. We are a democracy after all. Or are we?. . Unlike Australia or even Scotland, we will never be given the opportunity of ridding ourselves of this anachronism. Dimbleby is so suitable in the Uriah Heep role.

John, Ascot, Berkshire

Last week I thought we entered a new era. So. This new twist on the turn tables proves the gulf of the Atlantic will prevail. Albeit in new intriguing ways.

A shame. A sadness.

Anna, Bath,

As a YouGov member, I wonder why I got no opportunity to vote. Maybe there is less support than is supposed. It seems pretty much like a formula to end the monarchy, to me.

Jim Guest, G. Manchester,

Can he change another tradition? Abdicate the day he gets offered the job. Transparency of income and tax breaks, show all.

jane, Whittlesey, UK

Can't wait to see Charles mess things up, Royally.

Neil, Chester, England

I regard the monarchy as a back-up system with some legal claim to power over government, for use in an emergency. An active monarch would be like an airbag inflated by mistake.

Felix, Nottingham,

You are all missing the point! It is called genetics!! Prince Charles was born to succeed his mother to the throne. Like it or not-that is the way the succession works. You cannot alter the law to suit the 'choice of the moment'.

Dr Suzanne , Malaga, Espana

"a waste of his experience and accumulated wisdom"

If i want to hear the views of an old man out of touch with the modern world and yet who seems to have an opinion on just about everything i can just go and listen to the old guys at my local pub, but Just because he is a prince...

rob, oakley, uk

Britain does not need a king. This system is an insult to democracy and the people of the Britain. Of course it is quaint to have such a figure head - but guys lets use common sense - the monarchy is a thing from the past. Youth of today are street wise and educated and would vote the same as me NO

peter, Perth, Australia

Look at Sweden, Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands. They, like Britain, are all constitutional monarchies: highly evolved societies with the greatest degree of equality and freedom in the world. It's good our next monarch's willing to evolve to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Mary Morton, Melbourne, Australia

"Britain needs an ‘active’ sovereign for the 21st century"
300 years of Enlightenment down the drain

Michael, London,

He does seem to be on a single handed crusade to bring about the down fall of the monarchy - perhaps he should just abdicate in favour of Wiliam and then he can say whatever he chooseswithout harming the respect that the office still ( just about) holds

Catherine Jackson, Dundee,

the sight of hordes of sycophantic celebrities being bused in for mr windsor's 3rd birthday party is simply too much to bear.

BD MATHERS, birmingham, UK

Sorry to hear he still intends to be king. He's been an embarrassment as long as I can remember, so assumed he'd step aside and let William do it.

Jim, Ipswich, UK

An unelected monarchy works because the role is ceremonial. If Charles wants to play a more than ceremonial role then he should refuse to become King and pass it on to Wiliam, which would also put the Australian Repuplican movement on hold.

Wade, Croydon, UK

As long as he carries on waving to tourists, who cares?

Christopher, Manama, Bahrain

My dad usually spoke his mind, and when he reached 70, he said that now he had had his 3 score years and ten,he could say what he liked. We cringed, but actually it turned out all right, and nothing really changed.

Charles Bockett-Pugh, Sandhurst,

The current rules about who can or cannot be monarch are contrary to Human Rights legislation, discriminate on religious grounds (illegal) and are sexist. The Royals and their sycophants are once more setting a great example. Isn't it time to grow up, get rid of them and become a proper democracy?

al, weybridge, UQ

Tme to abolish the monarchy then.

Hannah James, Cambridge, UK

This is great news for Republicans. Apologists for the Monarchy have long argued that the apolitical nature, above and beyond party politics is what makes the Monarchy such a good thing. You can't have an apolitical Head of State actively voicing political opinions.

Tony Jarvis, Chester, UK

I wouldn't mind if he dealt with real issues which so far only extends to global warming. What about saying something about hijacking of 'his' army to mount illegal wars of corporate self interest or the mass robbery of the world's workers by the architects of the Banking crisis scam.

Ben, London, UK

About TIME!!!!!!!!!

Louis, Liverpool, UK

As a citizen of the United Kingdom Charles has every right to speak about his views on any issues including politics.To do so he only needs to take off his royal hat and toss it aside and stand for public office. How about mayor of London for starters!
But I don't think he would ever do that do you

tam, coventry, uk

So the Kings role is to be re-defined

When do we the general public get to have our say in this?

The monarchy is an anachronism left over from our feudal past - so let's re-define it out of existence.

Andy Davies, Glos, UK,

He is entitled to his opinions, but if his expert "knowledge" on dubious topics such as alternative therapies is anything to go by then I will be taking his words with a large pinch of salt!

Chris, Cheltenham, UK

james has a point, but by the time he becomes king he will probably be well over eighty and may have forgotten what he was going to say.

tom, seaview, uk

Charlie becoming king will do wonders for the republican movement in Australia.

Shaun, Maroubra, Australia

I fear that an "activist" monarch will be the end of that well loved, respected and venerable institution.

What I wonder are the views of HRH Prince William? Has he been consulted?

Julius Bramley, Hanover, South Africa

It's bad enough that we have an unelected head of state.

It's worse that the heir uses his unearned privilege, wealth and power to wield such enormous influence.

It is outrageous that he should consider continuing to wield that influence when he becomes king. He will be fiercely resisted.

Danny, London,

This is going to be like a taxi driver running the country.

kevin merchant, ware, uk

Here's hoping that our Queen lives another 50 years!

Coach, Loja,

What accumulated experience and wisdom does Charles have? He's anti-science, anti-GM, has bizarre views on nature, and holds an opinion on architectural design.

Liam, Stoke, UK

I agree with barbara of derbyshire. HRH Prince Charles is ideally suited with Camilla. She will automatically become Queen, that's our system. She is also HRH Princess of Wales currently, even if fans of Saint Diana al Fayed deny it. Happy Birthday, Charles.

gerry, exeter, england

i would just like to wish HRH prince charles a very happy birthday, and i would like to say how happy he looks since he married camilla, i think she is a loverly lady and would like to see her as queen when charles becomes king.

barbara, derbyshire, england

Oh dear. This has the potential to be extremely embarrassing. Can't he just abdicate in favour of William and save the monarchy? Prince Charles airing his views on immigration, the environment and foreign affairs has the potential to destroy the monarchy!

James, Adelaide,