Prince Charles Web Site Popular
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LONDON (AP) -- He's royal. He's on-line. And he's in demand.
Prince Charles' new Internet Web site has drawn e-mails from
people around the world seeking his views on everything from the
monarchy to alternative medicine.
The site contains articles and the text of speeches the prince
has made on some of his favorite topics -- such as architecture
and organic farming -- and has already drawn critical comments.
Ben Rowden of Guildford, southwest of London, wrote to the site
to voice his objection to Charles' views on genetic engineering.
"To simply refuse out of hand the use of genetics is to rule
out what may be of great value in the future," Rowden said.
Others praised the prince.
James William Hunter, of Calgary, Canada, wrote that the Internet
was an ideal medium for Charles to communicate with his future
subjects.
"Communication is indeed required as the monarchy enters the
next century," he said.
Charles' Web site follows the introduction in March 1997 of Queen
Elizabeth II's official Buckingham Palace Web site, which has
become one of the most popular Internet sites with more than 100
million "hits" in its first year.
Charles' Web site chronicles the life and work of the heir to the
throne, who turns 50 on Saturday, and sets out his views,
upcoming engagements and news of the activities of his charitable
trust.
"This site provides us with a powerful way of getting across
-- in an unfiltered way -- information about the prince,"
said Stephen Lamport, Charles' private secretary.
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The new site is at
http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk.