Charles, Prince of Wales, has revealed that his concerns over the environment have become more heightened following the news that he is to become a grandfather.
The Prince, 64, stated in an interview at his official residence that a forthcoming grandchild had made him consider more the nature of the world being passed to future generations. Charles spoke of what he considered an ‘increasingly dysfunctional world’, and shared his fears that future generations may accuse his own, of not having done enough to avert damage to the environment. This is not the first occasion where the Prince has spoken out on issues that are close to his heart – often prompting criticism.
In the past the Prince has made some controversial statements with regards to architecture and planning, but more recently lent his approval to a new eco-town called Poundbury.
The town, in its early stages of development, is planned around social needs rather than economic lines. Social planning has been given a bad name due to what many in the UK see as the failure of new towns built in the 1950s, such as Harlow and Milton Keynes. These new projects are, however, based on an environmental premise rather than that of Milton Keynes which was purely an effort to ease the crowding of the south east. (Look out for article on Environmental Planning soon).
It is in projects such as these that Charles has sought to carve his own legacy. Yet becoming King might stifle his passions, given the expected neutrality of the monarch. It remains to be seen whether the Prince may incorporate some form of environmental activism into his reign and how this will be achieved – perhaps through charitable trusts.
Currently Prince Charles runs several projects farming organic crops in an environmentally sustainable manner and has long advocated the benefits of eco-friendly farming. More broadly, The Prince’s May Day Network is a charitable organisation set up by Charles in an effort to encourage further education on and awareness of climate change.
Still it would appear the Prince is not yet content with the direction Britain is taking. The arrival of his firs grandchild, courtesy of Princess Catherine, has perhaps reminded Charles of his own mortality.
It is in these realizations that we all contemplate how we have changed the world in our own small ways. The Prince hopes, perhaps, that he can do more in the way of environmentalism before the constraints of being king inhibit his outspoken character.
Image: Jamie Roach/Shutterstock.com
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