article_snippet: Some commentators say letters to officials suggest Prince Charles could be a "meddling king," attempting to influence politicians.
article_snippet: The government wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds trying to cover up these letters, admitting these letters publication would 'seriously damage' perceptions of the Prince's political neutrality.
article_snippet: Max Foster, CNN's royal correspondent, says these letters are part of a broader discussion about the role of the heir to the throne.
article_snippet: But These play into a much bigger debate about the role of monarchy.
article_snippet: This is about the principle that senior members of the royal family are able to express senior members of the royal family views to government confidentially.
article_snippet: The anti-monarchy group Republic welcomed the news but warned that 2010 changes to the Freedom of Information Act to remove the public interest clause put future releases at risk.
article_snippet: the government must now act to end royal secrecy.
article_snippet: Any risk to the monarchy must pale against a risk to democracy from having an activist prince acting in secret," CEO Graham Smith said.
article_snippet: In a statement issued on the eve of the decision, " CEO Graham Smith branded the monarchy one of Britain's "most secretive institutions."
article_snippet: The disclosures will fuel growing concern that The Prince of Wales' is continuing to interfere in political matters when many believe The Prince of Wales' should remain neutral if The Prince of Wales' wishes to become king," the paper said.
article_snippet: Explaining its decision, The Prince of Wales' said that in that The Prince of Wales' view, the correspondence was "undertaken as part of The Prince of Wales' preparation for becoming King" and contained nothing that outweighed "strong public interest against disclosure.