Prince Charles Quits Preservation Group

In the foreword, Prince Charles took a firm position that buildings should always be restored to their traditional status, a position the Society rejects.

"When it asked for the foreword to be amended, it was rebuffed and told it was all or nothing. It chose to reject the piece, issuing a virtually unprecedented snub to the Royal Family. The Prince, taking the view that he was being censored, responded by ending his association with the society.

The embarrassing rift took place several months ago but has until now been kept entirely confidential.

Yesterday, the society's secretary Philip Venning confirmed that the Prince had quit over the issue of his rejected comments."