Prince Charles comes to Looe:

Those who know me are fully aware that I am not really a Royalist but I am more of a confused or even compromising Republican. My head, heart and theology prefers a republican standpoint but my pragmatic and skeptical spirit likes the protection that the Royal family have given us form having a President Blair or any of the other recent leaders in complete control over our little island.

I have also been somewhat impressed by the way that the Queen has shown by her tireless efforts just how important her country is to her. She is not a “popularist” with spin doctors glossing over her glaring inconsistencies but she is the Matriarchal figurehead of our Great Britain. She clearly loves her country and her people.

Prince Charles has been pilloried for many years now by almost all of the population. He has gone down in history as a person who talks to his trees and of course as the one who ratted on the “wonderful??” Diana. Those things are part of who he is but what of the man?

I found myself talking to our neighbours as the security cars headed down our road followed by the Royal couple in their big black car. I was surprised that as the car went by with the Prince on the other side of the car, Camilla looked out of her window at us and said “hello!” The wife of the future King spoke to me.

Looe was as ready as was possible for the visit and as they went off towards their first duty at the lifeboat station I felt a blog coming on. If I had bothered (I didn't because my republican belligerence prevented me!) I would have had my camera and could easily have taken many personal photos of the couple, but I rely on using some from Google.

BUT

I was surprised at just how impressed with this short man that I was. To look at him he was ordinary pensioner but he is the King in waiting, the Prince of Wales. He is in our country the second most important person and I suppose one day soon will be the most important.

But he was so ordinary!

There was nothing about him that was special but he was attractive in personality which is certainly testified to by some of the accounts that I hear from those who work for him around Cornwall. He is a well respected man by many.

So what is it that impressed me?

I am always disappointed when I hear the stories presented by our “oh so reliable media!” of his indiscretions in his marriage, with his all embracing theology which has spawned his view that when he becomes king he will be “defender of faith” rather than of “the faith!” But yet he does so much for the country. It was he who challenged the awful architecture that Britain was guilty of in the 70's. The people hated what the architectural geniuses were producing and Charles was our spokesman. It was he who went to the people of Somerset during the floods and publicized their plight. When the politicians saw the criticism about to come their way they very quickly followed suit!

There are many ways in which prince Charles has spoken out for his people against protocol which I find somewhat surprising as a “fallen” republican.

This little older man who is Prince of little old Wales (which is very close to my heart) has impressed me greatly, not because of his power or looks or wealth but because he is genuine and in that he reminds me in a small way of the One who is the prince of Peace, who is perfect in every way and who loves and serves his people magnificently. It is of course Jesus my Saviour of whom I talk.

Who would have thought that a little old man passing by in car could point my thoughts to the King of kings?

Surprisingly on this occasion Prince Charles did!