To think that Prince Charles is slow on the uptake

I'm still not sure this hasn't been blown out of all proportion

What are you suggesting - that the media have over-egged the pudding surely not

(sure that it has, I mean...)

I am!

I don't think he's dim, nor do I think there's any evidence that Anne is particularly intelligent - savvy and down to earth maybe but not of a particularly enquiring mind. I'm not being nasty - I rather like her. I agree with you Soutra, I think Prince Charles is an interesting person and I find many of his opinions seem quite sensible. Of course he has to be careful when and where he expresses them and sometimes he gets it wrong. I'm still not sure this hasn't been blown out of all proportion.

Soutra - wise sayings of PC? I know he likes organic farming and it is nicer for the countryside and all that. (although it would be an expensive way to feed the masses) But apart from that? I'm afraid I think he is pretty dim and this week's example illustrates that.
His sister seems much brighter and far more sensible.

I don't know exactly what was said, just read the fall-out in the press. He must surely be aware that any comment he makes becomes fair game to the press - whilst he is entitled to his opinions he does need to be careful when and where expressing them.

Then best he sticks to talks of the weather when in public Merlotgran,

I don't think he intended to publicly insult another country because it was a private conversation and none of it would have been reported if he'd been chatting about the weather!

It's not the first time he's been picked up on his opinions - 'Appalling old waxworks' springs to mind so it'll no doubt be a storm in a teacup. Putin will be advised to get over his hissy fit because an awful lot of people will be agreeing with Prince Charles.

Least said, Soonest mended.

thatbags I did hear that Putin was overheard remarking to one of his aides that 'Prince Charles should frack off!' Maybe something was lost in translation though.

We have gas if we frack it. We don't have to rely on Russian gas. Just saying.

I do wish that there could be information about fracking that is presented from a neutral standpoint rather than from those with a vested interest either for or against.

rose quartz, I am quite sure the queen has more people than her husband to voice her opinions to, she just doesn't do so in public to a stranger . If she has ever refused to meet any head of state, PM or delegation from another country she has not made this public.

We have gas if we frack it. We don't have to rely on Russian gas. Just saying.

Don't suppose Charles approves of fracking.

He won't turn it off because of one reported remark by a member of the royal family though.He has his own agenda [Putin not PC] but still wants the world to think well of him[even thought we don't.]

But controls the gas.

Exactly roseq good posts. We all think what he said [or may have said]
Putin is a dangerous fool.Like Hitler.

That is true, anniebach.

It must be difficult, however, never to express a view to anyone at all apart from one's wife over the breakfast table in case it is reported by someone. All she is likely to say is 'yes dear' I would imagine.

He is free to say what ever he chooses in private but when representing me on an official tour I have no wish for him to publicly insult another country

If he wishes to do so, stand down as heir to the throne and go into politics , those who agree with him can vote for him

But correct. Just not allowed to say it in public

I agree absolutely Anniebach - a total hypocrite.

Such a person cannot have "private conversations" with members of the public who owe no duty of confidentiality to him. He is an out and out twit like his father.

He was at a public function and said the Putin comment to a member of the public, a very elderly lady was was telling him of her ordeal , think the lady had fled either Germany or a camp. I read the lady repeated to the press what he said

What makes me angry with Charles is his hypocrisy , he snubbed the Chinese over their actions in Tibet, he has insulted Russia but never, ever has he said one word about the brutality in Saudia Arabia and their royals who are also close friends and shower the windsors with gifts

The impression I get is that we actually know very little about what was said, or how much spin has been made out of it.

OK! Charlie was talking to an elderly lady about what happened when she fled Europe as Hitler's Germany was taking over her country, like Russia has just taken over parts of the Ukraine.

The problem is that this statement seems to have been translated by the media into Prince Charles likening Putin to Hitler. That is a very big jump to make.
There is a huge difference of meaning here within the subtleties and context of conversation about what he said and considering this remark as him making a political statement.
Does anyone actually now know what exactly was said, the context in which it was said and who reported it to the media?

So should we really be drawing any conclusions on something that has become a big highly charged game of Chinese whispers? This was not a public speech.

It might have not been a comment made publicly but when talking to a foreign official you are a fool to think it is like having a personal conversation with an odd chum! Agree we do not know what was actually said but he should be more aware of what /how he says things.

I agree that PC is not like his father whose "bons mots" I usually fail to find amusing. I believe he is a thoughtful and sensitive man who has said some wise things - so not "slow on the uptake." On this occasion his comment seems to have been seized on with glee by the press.If only they accorded equal importance to other things he has said. His views on the environment once laughed out of court, have been vindicated. How frustrating not to be able to express an opinion which many people share.Was it misguided? Ill-timed? Should the woman have kept it to herself? Well Maybe, Maybe and Yes in that order. I also believe gj that HM has no plans to abdicate because she is Queen and dedicated her whole life to her country when her father died not for some individual reason although you may know more about this?

Quite pogs. Russia's behaviour re Syria is just as bad, if not worse, than behaviour re Ukraine.It looks as though the Syrian government is "winning" now thanks to their political support and presumably arms.
To my mind a "private conversation" for PC would be one he has with Camilla over breakfast, or with a member of his staff. Not one he has with a member of the public when he is very much on official business. These days members of public can record your words on their phone or post them on FB or Twitter in less time than it takes for him to remember all his names and titles.

When will our press and media stop the b---y trivia and focus on the serious problems the world faces.