While not exactly a monarchist, I’ve always had time for the queen. She’s spent the whole of her life working tirelessly for the good of the country, and rarely seems to slip up.
So it was disappointing to read in the news yesterday, as a dire report into the likely causes and consequences of global warning was cobbling up acres of newsprint, that she is growing increasingly ‘concerned’ that the Prince of Wales (Charles) is embarrassing other members of the royal family in fighting a public eco war. (Source: This is London)
Why embarrassed? Well, not because he’s going out and streaking to gain attention, or living in a straw hut to set an example, or vandalising fuel depots to make a point. Simply that he seems to be making an effort to live a less damaging, more ethical life. It’s not just hot air, either: as the BBC reported a couple of weeks ago, he ‘has cancelled a skiing trip to Switzerland in an effort to reduce his “carbon footprint”.’
You’d think the royals would be pleased one of their number was leading by example, but they’re not. As This is London reported it,
It is felt Prince Charles’s campaigning is putting others under scrutiny to prove their own green credentials.
A senior source said: “There is growing concern in the royal household and in the family itself that the Prince of Wales’s worthy determination to leave a green legacy may have a detrimental impact on other members of the royal family.
“Some of the more junior members of the family have been embarrassed by it…
Good. The more junior members of the family have less excuse than most for not doing the same thing, so they should be embarrassed.
Prince Charles’ behaviour isn’t perfect by any means. When awarded a gong for his environmental efforts he flew 7000 miles to New York and back to pick it up (plus do a bit of business – see here), but he certainly seems to be doing more than most.
What a shame the rest of his family doesn’t see that by following his lead they can defuse all of the tension and ‘embarrassment’ it’s causing them. Instead, though, they’d rather he went back to polluting, and have the world foot the carbon bill for saving them some blushes.
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