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Charles puts staff on bikes in bid to become 'green prince'
Last updated at 10:07am on 16.11.06
Green prince: Charles wants staff to get on their bikes
Prince Charles has told some of his staff to use bicycles in the fight against global warming. He is even prepared to travel to London by commuter train from a station near Highgrove.
Charles wants to be remembered as the "Green Prince" and is making a personal statement by planning a radical shake-up of his travel plans.
It comes after the Government outlined its Climate Change Bill and follows David Cameron's calls for a legal limit on harmful carbon emissions.
Charles will stop using royal helicopters and private jets on official engagements whenever possible.
He intends to make more use of the royal train and has ordered his chauffeurs to leave their cars behind and travel by bicycle when they check arrangements ahead of his appointments in London.
Charles has also told aides to find a more environmentally friendly fuel for his fleet of cars.
He has even suggested commuting to London on the train from Kemble station in Gloucestershire instead of driving or going by helicopter.
The Prince wants the new system in place for him and Camilla by February. But it is causing a headache for palace staff and some senior courtiers fear his green plans could embarrass the Queen and other members of the royal family who continue to use helicopters and jets.
Other senior palace figures have warned him that while they agree with his bold plan in principle it could prove difficult to implement logistically. They claim the security implications could also prove difficult.
It is understood that Charles's office at Clarence House had planned to unveil the radical changes at a showpiece media briefing but it was put on hold while aides try to smooth over the " contradictions".
One senior figure said: "He wants to be known as the Green Prince and to leave what he calls a small carbon footprint and there is a lot of support for that. But there has been quite a bit of hairpulling over this one.
The source said: "It is all well and good saying we have to go totally green but there are a lot of difficulties involved in sorting this out and smoothing away the contradictions.
"After all, this is a man who repeatedly warns about global warning yet he owns a classic Aston Martin and flies on private aircraft around the world." The move will put the Prince in direct conflict with other royals - particularly the Duke of York who has been called Air Miles Andy for his frequent use of royal flights.
In the past Charles has been stung by criticism of his spending on royal travel - last year his trip to the US cost the taxpayer more than £500,000. The travel bill alone for the week-long trip came to £330,000 after the couple flew to New York on a private jet.
The increased use of the royal train - a favourite mode of transport for Charles, its biggest user, will come under close scrutiny as it is hugely expensive to run.
Royal accounts for 2005-06 show that a single journey for Charles and Camilla in October last year from Euston to Burnley cost the taxpayer £16,491. The return trip by helicopter to Buckingham Palace cost £7,849. Another trip to Northampton cost £22,931.
Some senior MPs have called for the royal train to be scrapped. They want the Queen and Charles to lease a train from a commercial operator when necessary or attach a private carriage to an ordinary train.
In 2002 Edward Leigh, as chairman of the public accounts committee, said: "The days of the royal train are numbered." But it was given a reprieve despite costing an average £35,000 per trip - twice the price of royal air travel.
Charles has been outspoken on the threat of climate change through global warming. He even took his message to the White House. He delivered a stinging rebuke of America's record on the environment in front of President Bush.
In a rare TV interview, he told CBS: "If you look at the latest figures on climate change and global warming ... they're terrifying." In the past President Bush has questioned the existence of global warming and the US has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions, saying it would harm their economy.
But Tony Blair, along with Mr Cameron, have backed green taxes and insisted Britain must take the lead on saving the planet.
Reader views (19)
He's even been over here to the States - visiting inner city poor communities and also visiting in some states (those that are actually trying) to understand how to clean up the environment. I see nothing but sincerity and a willingness to walk the walk as much as he can... much more than many over here... even Al Gore. It takes more than a movie. Gotta get rid of some of those monster homes (Al Gore has 5 large homes, none of which come equipped with energy savings sacrifices he wants us all to be making), and also drive something other than apartments on wheels.
Give Charles some credit, he is making much more of an effort than most people here in the US of A.
- Sher, USA
Poor Charles, he is the prince who was almost king. He can't seem to find any thing to stand for, so he is making his staff ride to work on bicycles while he rides in warmth. Now when he rides a bike to work I will be impressed. Maybe if he took off his "crown" and got down and dirty like most who he professes to serve he might do more to change things.
- Cliff Houston, Dallas, Texas
This all sounds good but let's see if he actually sticks with it. I don't see all of these new rules being logistically possible.
- James Stockton, Houston, Texas, USA
It's all right for you lot on your side of the pond praising the Green Prince, but over here we've got to live with him and all the other idiots who actually believe in the garbage being spewed out about global warming. This is just another example of tax increases being advocated by devotees to the New World Order.
Check your facts and you will discover that global warming and cooling are as natural as night and day. I haven't read of any records of disasters occurring during the Mediavel Warm Period in Europe from 700 ad to around 1300 - have you?
- Gordon Duncan, Leicester UK
Maybe he can shut the sun down.....this is what is causing global warming...it is a well known fact that one day the earth will be destroyed by the sun...and there is nothing we can do about it. Pollution is another matter and should be tackled...the two are becoming confused; living in a nice clean atmosphere would be great, but it will not stop the sun destroying life eventually
- Cherry Hughes, london uk
I have instructed my construction crews to use their bikes to get to job sites with their equipment, the Prince is a fine example to them all in their daily struggles.
- Philip Cox, fair oaks usa
This just illustrates the lengths to which the "global warming" issue is being exploited for publicity. It would be nice if the politicians and princes left the subject to actual scientists, who have most certainly not agreed on the seriousness of the problem, its effects, or its causes. Of course that won't happen, and a large segment of the population will continue to exploit the issue to affect an air of superiority.
- J.D. Bolick, Greenville, NC, USA
I applaud the Prince's efforts.
However, I feel that should he really want to push the envelope, the royal train should be abandoned and a private car designed for him to use on regular commuter trains.
What sense does it make to call yourself eco-friendly and green if you stroll about England on a personal train?
- Josh, Columbus OH, USA
As an American and an Anglophile, I was most intrigued by your story. Does this new development mean that when Charles becomes king Britain will become a "bicycle monarchy"?
- Hal Gordon, Houston, TX
The Green Prince might have more effect if he persuaded the Government to remove the shackles on British inventiveness and investment by lowering taxes, removing onerous business regulations, and improving education. The net effect would be more general revenues and more young Brits prepared to improve the modern world.
- Catherine Glass, Portland, Oregon
I find it very scary that people can accept without a scintilla of evidence the notion that human being can alter the climate of the globe......merely by passing gas.
I think the whole idea is, in a word, delusional.
I am a firm believer in "waste not, want not" but the belief that human being can alter the climate of the globe is a sign of mental illness.
- Bill Campbell, Pearl River, U.S.
Perhaps if I ask my staff to travel by bike, I can be know as the "Green Precious Little Flower". No sacrifice is too great for my staff.
- Hilary Bulman, Philadelphia, USA
HRH the Prince of Wales is providing an excellent example. It's not only a great public relations move it shows that he not only talks the talk but walks the walk. Keep pushing sustainablity Your Highness!
- Rob Skiff, South Burlington, Vermont USA
Any one that knows HRH would most certainly never call him a fool. Only a fool would make the ststement. If one knew HRH they would see how very sincere HRH is about the envioment, how very intelegent and well read he is. How very much he loves his children and his wonderful sence of of history and even his marvelous sence of humor.
He unfortunatly is not a friend, but I have had a number of occasion to observie and speak with HRH and am most impress. After the Queen, he is the best asset the UK has.
- Joseph Cicio, Warren
I Like Charley. I get the impression, from these many kilometers away, that he's always trying to do the right thing. It's just that that Monarchy thing always seems to get in the way.
- Richard Newton, Salt Lake City
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Charles is a well-meaning but impractical fool. I look forward to footage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip riding a tandem bicycle through Buckingham.
- Mark Robinson, Canyon Lake, Texas, USA
He's trying to set a good example. Cut him some slack.
- Caltrop, Stratford, CT, USA
Hurrah! The 'Cycling Monarchy' has finally arrived! but I'll believe it when I see it; when Charles and Camilla take the local trains and tube during rush hour, and when he actually cycles from home to work.
- Dhanraj, Basildon, Essex
About time. I stood behind Whitehall in St James's Park on Sunday for Remembrance Sunday. Amid all of the veterans marching for their country, was a variety of large gas-guzzling cars ferrying the "great and the good" between Horse Guards and Buckingham Palace. Some even had 4 or 8 motorcycle outriders to stop the traffic which wasn't even there. These people say they are passionate about rural sports, well if they can't walk 1/4 of a mile to their homes, then maybe they should cycle or use a horse.
- Andrew, London
