War of words leaves Charles 'deeply upset'

Labour's vitriolic attacks on Prince Charles have left him "deeply upset" and "frustrated", aides said today.

Senior ministers launched an unprecedented onslaught on Charles after he criticised the Government's education policies.

The attack was led by Education Secretary Charles Clarke, who labelled the Prince "old-fashioned and out of time". Health Secretary John Reid then fired another broadside at the Prince, saying his views were plain "wrong".

Charles is said to be distraught by his bruising at the hands of two Cabinet heavyweights.

Palace insiders say the Prince was "incredibly frustrated" that his views had been "misrepresented".

Labour's tirade against the Prince came after he criticised Britain's "child centred" education system for fuelling unrealistic ambitions.

In a private memo, Charles complainedof a learning culture that led young people to believe they could succeed at anything without talent or hard work.

His comments provoked a furious reaction from a Labour Government already seething at the Prince's regular criticisms of its policies on GM foods, fox hunting and Lords reform. In language tinged with republican overtones, Dr Reid said: "I think he's wrong on this one. I'm a meritocrat.

"I do believe that people get themselves out of disadvantage; that the biggest driving force for social change in this country is people's own ambition."

In his attack, Mr Clarke said the Prince should "think carefully" before commenting on public matters. "He is very old-fashioned and out of time and doesn't actually understand what's going on in the British education system," an enraged Mr Clarke added.

The broadsides ended once and for all the unwritten convention that senior ministers do not criticise the royal family.

Despite attacks by Downing Street to play down the row, it was clear that a major rift had developed. The Prince's communications secretary Paddy Harverson insisted Charles's views had been misrepresented.

"He has spoken about education many times and has been passionate about it for a long time. Not least because he's had the Prince's Trust for 30 years helping young people get an opportunity in life," he said.

The Prince had written the explosive memo after one of his staff complained about promotion prospects in his household.

He wrote: "What is wrong with everyone nowadays? What is it that makes everyone seem to think they are qualified to do things beyond their technical capabilities?"