PUBLISHED: 11:34, Wed, Dec 2, 2020 | UPDATED: 11:34, Wed, Dec 2, 2020
Link copiedThe Prince of Wales has often been accused of “meddling” in political affairs during his time as the heir to the throne. He has faced major backlash from those both in and outside Government over allegations that he has broken the Royal Family’s apolitical stance. Charles’ passion for inner-city renewal, environmental conservation and architecture have triggered him to write many private letters to ministers about his concerns over the years, later dubbed the Black Spider Memos.
His activism has rattled Downing Street in the past, but none more so than former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Mrs Thatcher had publicly promised to tackle the inner-city issues upon her third election victory — an issue which was one of Charles’ passion projects.
Excited at the prospect of making a difference, he encouraged her to meet with local leaders personally to discuss Business In The Community’s (BITC) outreach programme.
Insurance Loans Mortgage Attorney Credit LawyerBITC was set up by Charles nearly four decades ago to “champion for responsible business”.
Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles (Image: Getty)
Charles and Thatcher butted heads over her inner city policies (Image: Getty)
However, Mrs Thatcher rejected his suggestion, only for the Prince of Wales to approach her again about it a year later.
She eventually agreed to host a lunch with the inner city “enablers” at No.10, only to quickly withdraw the invitation shortly afterwards.
The Prime Minister allegedly feared that the press could get wind of the meeting, and pick up on the strained relationship between her and Charles.
Writing in his biography, ‘Charles — The Man Who Will Be King’, Howard Hodgson explained: “She believed that this would obviously provide her opponents with the valuable point that the Prince of Wales, although supposed to be politically neutral, was in fact opposed to Thatcher and her uncaring policies.
“She thought that was in neither of their interests.”
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Thatcher and Charles with Diana and Denis Thatcher (Image: Getty)
Thatcher and Charles shaking hands in 2007 (Image: Getty)
Yet, Charles tried to persuade her once again at their next meeting, and she finally agreed — the BITC meeting was a success, and Charles was
