Controversial letters show Prince Charles challenged Blair over Iraq

The Prince of Wales tackled the then prime minister Tony Blair over the lack of resources for the Armed Forces fighting in Iraq, previously secret letters have revealed. Publication of correspondence between Charles and government ministers following a long-running legal battle showed that the Prince lobbied Mr Blair and other ministers on a range of issues from badgers and TB to herbal medicine, education and illegal fishing. Twenty-seven letters were released following a 10-year campaign by The Guardian after a freedom of information request.

The publication of private letters can only inhibit his ability to express the concerns and suggestions which have been put to him in the course of his travels and meetings.

Prince Charles’ Clarence House office

The government had vetoed the release of the letters under Freedom of Information laws, but this was struck down by the courts. There were no handwritten “black spider” letters among the batch released - so-called because of the black ink used by the Prince in some correspondence and his habit of underlining words - and all were typed. The letters date back to 2004 and 2005.

Europe Charles letters