THE Prince of Wales has begun legal action against The Mail on Sunday after the newspaper published extracts from a private journal containing the Prince’s acerbic views on the handover of Hong Kong.

Clarence House said yesterday that the Prince had taken the decision reluctantly, but had been advised by his lawyers that the newspaper had breached his copyright and confidentiality.

Legal papers were served yesterday afternoon on Associated Newspapers, publishers of The Mail on Sunday. It is thought to be the first time that the Prince has brought an action of this kind, although the Queen has occasionally sought redress against newspapers through the courts.

Last Sunday, only days after President Hu of China had completed a state visit to Britain as a guest of the Queen, The Mail on Sunday published extracts from a private and unflattering commentary by the Prince on the Hong Kong handover in 1997, in which he described Chinese diplomats as “appalling old waxworks”, among other uncomplimentary observations. The Prince called his 3,000-word piece The Handover of Hong Kong — or the Great Chinese Takeaway.

The Prince, who represented Britain at the handover ceremony, frequently writes private journals on major events that he attends, intended for circulation to other members of the Royal Family, senior politicians and close friends.

A copy of his Hong Kong diary was leaked to the newspaper. Last week the Prince, a friend and admirer of the Dalai Lama, was noticeably absent from the Buckingham Palace banquet in honour of President Hu. He had just returned from an eight-day tour of the US with the Duchess of Cornwall, and was said to be too jet-lagged to attend.

Sir Michael Peat, the Prince’s private secretary, said yesterday: “This is a matter of principle. Like anybody else, the Prince of Wales is entitled to write a private journal without extracts being published. This journal was copied and passed to The Mail on Sunday without permission. We made this clear to The Mail on Sunday on five occasions, both orally and in writing.”

A spokesman for the newspaper said: “The Mail on Sunday has not at any point accepted that last Sunday’s story about the Prince’s account of the handover of Hong Kong involved any breach of copyright or confidentiality.

“This was not a private journal. It was widely distributed and viewed, as Clarence House confirmed to us, as a historic document intended for eventual publication.

“The story raised important questions about Britain’s relations with China and the Prince’s influence on British political thinking. We believe the public has a right to know the considered views of the heir to the throne on matters of great public interest.”

They'll never walk alone

THE Duchess of Cornwall follows tradition by touching the “This is Anfield” sign as she walks out on to the pitch with the Prince of Wales during a visit to Liverpool Football Club.

The couple visited the players’ dressing room, where they had tea with youngsters from the Prince’s Trust football initiative. Prince Charles drank Earl Gray tea from a “This Is Anfield” mug, while the Duchess perched on a physiotherapy table.

They visited the stadium during a tour of the North West. They met Rafael Benitez, the club manager, and were shown the European Cup by Steven Gerrard, before leaving for Liverpool John Lennon airport, where they boarded a flight back to London.

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