Prince Charles eyeing kingly changes

LONDON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Charles, prince of Wales, would like to make significant changes regarding royal prerogatives once he is named king of Britain, his biographer said Sunday.

Biographer Jonathan Dimbleby said Charles does not agree with the British tradition that the ruling monarch not speak publicly about personal opinions and would like that royal rule changed once he assumes the throne, The Sunday Times of London reported.

Dimbleby said for Charles to make such a change once he succeeds Queen Elizabeth II as the leading royal would represent a major shift in policy.

"To breach this convention, however cautiously, would represent a seismic shift in the role of the sovereign," he said.

The queen has not spoken openly regarding her opinions for more than 50 years, saving such comments for her private council or the British prime minister.

The Times said a YouGov poll of an unspecified number of respondents found 49 percent of those questioned support such royal commentary compared with 38 percent against. No margin of error was reported.