15 AUGUST 1998, Page 27

The People's Prince Sir: The Prince of Wales's cogent article

('Why I'm modern, but not modernist', 8 August) demonstrates once more that he has bravely accepted the traditional role of kings: the champion of the People against the 'Barons'. In the present circumstances this is nothing short of heroism, what the ancient wisdom called 'Spiritual Chivalry'. At a time when government seems to be inexorably moving towards a new form of authoritarianism, when the choice every five years is between two sets of oligarchs, and prime ministers make Faustian pacts with press barons to get elected, it is heart- warming to feel that at least our future head of state is not motivated by self-inter- est. A 'People's Prince' indeed.

Shusha Guppy

8 Shawfield Street, London SW3