"Know your place!" says man who inherited enormous wealth, status and privilege

This was a turn up for the books wasn't it? I'm still a bit flabbergasted to be honest. Who would have thought that Prince Charles would hold such anachronistic views? I'd always admired him up until now as well: despite being brought up on a tough Leeds council estate he managed, through hard work and determination, to fight his way up the ladder to become heir to the throne. He is the very embodiment of our upwardly mobile, meritocratic culture and a fine example to anyone who wants to better their situa . . sorry, what was that? Born into a position of wealth and status you say? Never had to do a day's work in his life you say? Who was I thinking of then?

This is such a non-story isn't it? I mean, yes, of course, it's a "story", I just mean that being told that Charles believes that the proles should "know their place" in society is akin to being told that Peter Sutcliffe has a bit of a "funny attitude" towards women. It's kind of implied by what he does and where he is.

But you'll still get fuckwits defending the monarchy. How? God only knows. I am continually amazed how anyone sees any value in it whatsoever, how it can have any relevance at all to Britain in 2004. It is an institutionally elitist and racist cornerstone of our constitution that routinely embarrasses our nation around the world. It represents the very worst that this country has to offer: the royals are remote, snooty and totally at odds with the goals and aspirations of the population. At least, the population that doesn't live in a Daily Mail wank fantasy where everyone is white and the British Empire still exists.

Prince Charles's memo serves as a timely reminder that there is still an awful amount of ingrained prejudice running through the spine of this country and the revolting notion of "class" continues to affect our life-chances. Prince Charles may not make the rules, but he certainly enjoys them.

"What is wrong with people now?" he bleats. "Why do they all seem to think they are qualified to do things far beyond their technical capabilities?" Like what, Charles? Being king?