The letters Britain’s Prince Charles wrote to the government are to be published.
The Supreme Court were asked by the Guardian newspaper to determine whether the Attorney General’s office acted unlawfully when it prevented their publication in 2012, and it’s ultimately been decided they should be released.
Clarence House said it was "disappointed the principle of privacy had not been upheld".
Meanwhile, David Cameron – the prime minister – said the decision was "disappointing", but he would now try to work out how best to release the document.
He reflected: "This is about the principle that senior members of the royal family are able to express their views to government confidentially. I think most people would agree this is fair enough."
Now, the government has 30 days to prepare the publication of the 27 letters – written to seven government departments between 2004 and 2005 – which have been cleared for publication by the Supreme Court.
Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of Guardian News and Media, said: "The government wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds trying to cover up these letters, admitting their publication would ‘seriously damage’ perceptions of the prince’s political neutrality.
"Now they must publish them so that the public can make their own judgement.
"This is a good day for transparency in government and shows how essential it is to have a fully independent judiciary and free press."
Prince Charles’ letters to be published
