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| Architect Rogers angry at Prince | Architect Rogers angry at Prince |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The architect Lord Rogers has said he believes Prince Charles has broken the "constitutional understanding" governing the role of the monarchy. | The architect Lord Rogers has said he believes Prince Charles has broken the "constitutional understanding" governing the role of the monarchy. |
| Last week, Lord Rogers' plan to transform Chelsea Barracks in west London was dropped after the prince told developers it was "unsympathetic". | Last week, Lord Rogers' plan to transform Chelsea Barracks in west London was dropped after the prince told developers it was "unsympathetic". |
| The architect told the BBC there could be "a dangerous political clash" unless the power of the royals is re-examined. | The architect told the BBC there could be "a dangerous political clash" unless the power of the royals is re-examined. |
| Clarence House declined to comment on Lord Rogers' remarks. | Clarence House declined to comment on Lord Rogers' remarks. |
| The 12.8 acre Chelsea Barracks site in west London is owned by Qatari Diar, the state of Qatar's property investment arm, which is headed by the country's prime minister. | The 12.8 acre Chelsea Barracks site in west London is owned by Qatari Diar, the state of Qatar's property investment arm, which is headed by the country's prime minister. |
| 'Dangerous precedent' | 'Dangerous precedent' |
| The developer had planned to spend £1bn building a complex of 552 flats in 17 blocks. | The developer had planned to spend £1bn building a complex of 552 flats in 17 blocks. |
| It had favoured Lord Rogers' modernist glass and steel design, but in March, the Prince of Wales told Qatar's royal family it was "unsuitable". | It had favoured Lord Rogers' modernist glass and steel design, but in March, the Prince of Wales told Qatar's royal family it was "unsuitable". |
| He said he preferred an alternative classical design for the site by architect Quinlan Terry. | He said he preferred an alternative classical design for the site by architect Quinlan Terry. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| Last week, just days before it was due to be considered by local planning officers, the developers announced that the application had been withdrawn. | Last week, just days before it was due to be considered by local planning officers, the developers announced that the application had been withdrawn. |
| Now, in an interview with the BBC's Today programme, Lord Rogers has claimed that Prince Charles overstepped his remit. | Now, in an interview with the BBC's Today programme, Lord Rogers has claimed that Prince Charles overstepped his remit. |
| "I think there's a dangerous precedent that the Prince has entered into, which is very much about how he sees style," he said. | "I think there's a dangerous precedent that the Prince has entered into, which is very much about how he sees style," he said. |
| "And the Prince is not willing to debate. If the Prince does not debate there must be a question over why he can participate in political situations. | "And the Prince is not willing to debate. If the Prince does not debate there must be a question over why he can participate in political situations. |
| "I think that anyone who uses his power due to birth [like this] breaks a constitutional understanding - it's not a law, it's a constitutional understanding - and a trust we have within our society about the role of people who have received power in that manner." | "I think that anyone who uses his power due to birth [like this] breaks a constitutional understanding - it's not a law, it's a constitutional understanding - and a trust we have within our society about the role of people who have received power in that manner." |
| 'Not experts' | 'Not experts' |
| Lord Rogers said a committee of constitutional experts should be set up to examine "the powers of the Prince and his ability to change the political direction". | Lord Rogers said a committee of constitutional experts should be set up to examine "the powers of the Prince and his ability to change the political direction". |
| "If we are to avoid a dangerous political clash then we need someone to solve the problem at a level which is not about this site, but at the level of royalty and their say in political matters," he said. | "If we are to avoid a dangerous political clash then we need someone to solve the problem at a level which is not about this site, but at the level of royalty and their say in political matters," he said. |
| Lord Rogers' design was deemed "unsuitable" by the Prince | Lord Rogers' design was deemed "unsuitable" by the Prince |
| "Are we going to have royalty dictating to us modern art? Are we going to have royalty dictating their taste in music? Are we going to have royalty dictating their belief in medicine, modern or not? "No, because they're not experts in any of those fields, but more important still it's not constitutional to enter into those areas which are political, where they're protected and where we're not protected." | "Are we going to have royalty dictating to us modern art? Are we going to have royalty dictating their taste in music? Are we going to have royalty dictating their belief in medicine, modern or not? "No, because they're not experts in any of those fields, but more important still it's not constitutional to enter into those areas which are political, where they're protected and where we're not protected." |
| Lord Rogers said he doubted the Chelsea Barracks site would be developed for many years. | Lord Rogers said he doubted the Chelsea Barracks site would be developed for many years. |
| He also warned that other foreign companies could be put off investing in the UK for fear the prince would take a dislike to their building schemes. | He also warned that other foreign companies could be put off investing in the UK for fear the prince would take a dislike to their building schemes. |
| Lord Rogers has designed some of the most influential buildings in the world, including the Lloyd's building in the City of London. | Lord Rogers has designed some of the most influential buildings in the world, including the Lloyd's building in the City of London. |