Prince Charles: I'm not out of touch
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-23 13:51

Prince Charles has publicly defended himself against accusations of being old-fashioned and out of touch.

Prince Charles, right, meets British dancer Darcey Bussell, center, and Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta after the Royal Opera House's winter gala in London, Monday Nov. 22, 2004. The fundraising event in Covent Garden, London, included performances by Royal Ballet principal dancer Bussell and artistes from the Royal Opera House. [AP]

He dismissed reports that he believes people should not rise above their station as "a travesty of the truth".

The Prince of Wales was rebuked last week after a memo he wrote appeared to blast what he termed the "child-centred" education system.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke described the Prince as "old-fashioned and out of time".

But the Prince has used a seminar at Lambeth Palace to defend his comments.

"Ambition is a good thing and should never be constrained by a person's starting point in life," he said.

"People must be encouraged to fulfil their aspirations in ways that recognise their different abilities and talents.

"Thank God they do and that we are not all the same."

The seminar was attended by the Archibishop of Canterbury and 28 other bishops - but the media was denied access.

Mr Clarke earlier said he hoped the speech would end what he called the "flurry of discussion".

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