Prince faces climate change dilemma over cruise

He says he is a green pioneer, and flaunts his environmental credentials. So why is Prince Charles leaving today on a cruise that will do as much damage to the planet as 260 transatlantic flights?

By Jonathan Brown
Tuesday, 4 March 2008

Evoking the atmosphere of the grandest of English country houses, complete with sumptuous staterooms, jacuzzi and an on-board gymnasium and sauna, few would dispute that the 246ft super-yacht Leander affords one of the most luxurious ways to cruise the azure seas of the Caribbean. Whether it is coursing through the water on one of the yacht's jet-skis, or simply enjoying a gin and tonic at sunset in the air-conditioned cabins, life on board is unforgettable.

Today, the Prince of Wales and his consort, the Duchess of Cornwall, will board the £50m vessel to begin a tour in which, Clarence House says, they will "reinforce Britain's ties with the important Commonwealth countries" in the region. On their way, the royal couple will be taken to a rainforest conservation project and marvel at some of the region's stunning bio-diversity before enjoying a trip to Kingston's famous Bob Marley Museum and the home of reggae.

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Gus: if I remember well, Prince Charles, on his previous "green" (not the one mentioned in the blog above) outing, went virtual as a 3D hologram... I suppose the poor real fellow cannot just stay cooped up in a damp castle in Wales when our liberated grannies are trooping around the world in Old Queens afloat..., spending our inheritance as if we did not need it in these days of interest rates hikes...

A princely boat trip in the doldrums sounds swell.

The Prince of Wales is abusing his position by influencing planning decisions, the new leader of the Royal Institute of British Architects says.

Ruth Reed said there was evidence the prince had "written behind the scenes" about planning applications and the appointment of particular architects.

This year, he criticised Lord Rogers' scheme to redevelop London's Chelsea Barracks - the plan was later dropped.

Clarence House has declined to respond to the comments made on BBC Radio 4.

Ms Reed took up her position as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) on Tuesday and is the first woman appointed to the role.

She told Radio 4's Front Row: "It is unfortunate if anybody uses their position in public life to exert undue influence on a democratic process such as planning.

...

Lord Rodgers was angered when his £1bn glass and steel plan for 552 flats at the barracks was branded "unsympathetic" by the prince, who preferred an alternative classical design by architect Quinlan Terry.

The prince continued his attack on modernist architecture in a speech before the Royal Institute of British Architects in May, in which he said much of the design was "flawed".

His comments came 25 years after he famously attacked a proposed National Gallery extension as a "carbuncle".

Earlier this month, the prince attracted more criticism after it emerged he unsuccessfully tried to intervene over plans for a modernist building next to St Paul's Cathedral.

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Gus: with respect, I am with Prince Charming. 

Quite often the mix of "modernity" and of "heritage" ends up as an atrocious destruction of general aesthetic and kills existing living essence in an area.

Like the plans for the development of the Newtown station in Sydney...

To this artistic cookie, who is not opposed to modernity per say and had indeed participated or created some modernity in his time, certain forms of development run against the grain of the general atmosphere surroundings. The plan for the new "covered concourse" or the station is vile, in my book... It is not ugly in its own right and would be at ease somewhere else, but its presence amidst the 1900 style of the area is like mixing a Picasso painting with a Rembrandt.... Why not, are you going to say?. Well the mix ends up making two great stylistic expression turn ugly. They fight, they do not harmonise. they destroy the feel of the place...

My opinion for what it's worth...