God bless the Queen – and the Prince of Wales

IT was great to read Bill Carmichael’s column (‘Queen of Diplomacy’, Yorkshire Post, May 27) in which he wholeheartedly praised our monarch for her remarkable achievement in Ireland, for her energy and for her obvious warmth in her relationship with the President of the United States and his wife.

This is all characteristic of her impeccable behaviour throughout her reign, when she has never put a foot wrong.

I loved Bill’s final question: “Is it too late to clone her?” He often makes me laugh.

However, in spite of being one of his fans, I must take issue with him regarding his hurtful criticism of Prince Charles whom he described as “insufferably wet and deeply silly”.

If this were true, would the Prince have founded the Prince’s Trust to help disadvantaged young people way back in 1976?

Following that, he established 15 more charitable organisations, of which he is president, known as the Prince’s Charities. These raise around £100m annually. In addition, he is patron of more than 350 further charities.

The Prince of Wales has inherited his mother’s work ethic and sense of duty.

He is a man of strong opinion and convictions, with which we may not always agree, but he is a man who deserves our respect.

Bernard Ingham ended his excellent article about Nick Clegg (Yorkshire Post, May 18) with the words: “Leave the lad alone for a bit. Give him a chance.”

When Prince Charles eventually ascends the throne – as is his birthright – let us hope that the British public will be as fair-minded as Bernard Ingham.