Charles launches legal action over China journal

BRITAIN’S Prince Charles last night launched a legal action over the publication of extracts from a private journal in which he branded Chinese diplomats “appalling old waxworks”.

In a rare move by a member of the British Royal Family, he is suing Associated Newspapers, owners of the Mail on Sunday, for breach of copyright and confidence.

The journal - entitled The Handover of Hong Kong, or The Great Chinese Takeaway - contained the prince’s views on the 1997 transfer of Hong Kong to the Chinese.