Prince Charles' secret letters to go public

Britain's top court yesterday overruled the government to allow the publication of a series of letters from Prince Charles to ministries, in a potential setback for the heir to the throne.

"The Supreme Court dismisses the attorney general's appeal," read the ruling, after the government went to court to prevent the publication of letters believed to show Charles interfering in politics.

A spokesman for Clarence House, the prince's residence, said it was "disappointed the principle of privacy has not been upheld".

The long-running case was led by a journalist for The Guardian and the newspaper's editor Alan Rusbridger hailed a "brilliant 10-year campaign".

"Guardian wins," he wrote on Twitter.

The 27 handwritten letters have been dubbed the "Black Spider Memos" due to Charles's spiky handwriting.

No date has been fixed for their publication.

The government had vetoed the release of the letters under Freedom of Information laws, but this has now been struck down by the courts. Cameron said the government would consider amending the law.

A new biography of Charles last year reignited debate about whether he is fit to become king, given his outspoken views and energetic activism on a variety of issues including the environment and architecture.