Britain's Prince Charles is to take legal action against a Sunday tabloid that published extracts from his private journals.
A spokesman for the prince said today he had reluctantly decided on the move against Associated Newspapers after extracts appeared in The Mail on Sunday.
The journal contained Charles's views on the 1997 handover of the British colony of Hong Kong to China.
He was said in one comment to describe Chinese diplomats as "appalling old waxworks".
"This is a matter of principle," said his private secretary Sir Michael Peat in a statement. "This journal was copied and passed to the Mail on Sundaywithout permission. We made this clear to The Mail On Sundayon five occasions, both orally and in writing."
Members of the British royal family rarely take legal action.
But in November 2003, Queen Elizabeth launched a legal bid to prevent the Daily Mirrorfrom publishing further revelations by journalist Ryan Perry who had worked undercover as a footman at Buckingham Palace.
His detailed descriptions of daily life in the House of Windsor were a major security embarrassment for royal officials.