Letter: Why the Government wants the monarchy to survive

Sir: I have received so many calls from the media this morning on the story of an imminent divorce between Prince Charles and Princess Diana that I feel now is the time for me to speak out on the subject and offer some firm advice to the royal pair.

We have had too much coverage in the newspapers, radio and television concerning their private lives, their feelings and their likes and dislikes.

It is not what we expect from our Royal Family, which we have always admired and respected. Divorce now, on top of everything else, would be even more damaging to our great institution of monarchy.

It is never too late to mend fences or to move towards reconciliation. I therefore appeal to Prince Charles and Princess Diana, for the sake of the country and their two children, to start making moves back towards each other.

They could be together but live separate lives. They could perform royal duties together. They could go on visits abroad together. But, perhaps most important of all, they could provide a far happier home for their two children than could ever be the case if they divorced.

I agree that this is not an ideal solution, but it would indicate a resolve by the royal pair to put country and family before their own personal feelings.

God Save England and The Queen.

Yours sincerely, BARBARA CARTLAND Hatfield, Hertfordshire 18 October