Is Prince Charles Abusing His Power?

A number of famous architects believe that the Prince is subverting the planning process by using his royal influence to stymie projects.

1 minute read

June 22, 2009, 5:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Most recently, the Prince used his influence to scuttle a proposed multimillion-dollar development planned for Chelsea and designed by architect Richard Rogers.

"This is the third of Lord Rogers's projects to be scuttled by Prince Charles's intervention, the first being the so-called carbuncle next to the National Gallery. Lord Rogers is joined in his indignation by a raft of renowned architects here and abroad. Ten of them, including Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster and Renzo Piano, recently sent a rousingly stern letter to The Times of London decrying Charles's "private comments and behind-the-scenes lobbying."

If he wanted to give his opinion on 'one of the most significant residential projects likely to be built in London in the next five years,' they said, he should have done it through the normal planning process, like a common person, not privately, royally and at the last minute."

Thanks to Zach Seaman

FULL STORY: In England, a Royal Taste That Alters the Landscape

Thursday, June 18, 2009 in NY Times

Architecture United Kingdom Prince Charles Richard Rodgers National Gallery

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