Prince Charles warns that well-written sentences are under ‘moral threat’ from text messages and social media
PRINCE Charles has warned well-written sentences are under “mortal threat” from text messages and social media.
Speaking at a central London ceremony marking 500 years of Royal Mail, the 67-year-old said the service “by its very existence defends the written word”.
The royal heir continued: "As someone who relies on the well-aimed letter - and relishes the ones in return - I can only say how strongly I feel that the logical ordering of thoughts in proper, grammatically correct prose is in fact rather important at the end of the day."
The prince and the Duchess of Cornwall met workers at Merchant Taylors' Hall, including the longest-serving Royal Mail employee.
Robert Hartley, 69, from Leeds, has worked for Royal Mail since 1962 when he first delivered telegrams as "a boy of 15".
The royal heir also found time to sit on the first bike used to deliver telegrams, the only surviving postal service 1933 BSA B33 motorcycle.
Charles said he was "hugely impressed"; to discover that Royal Mail delivered one billion parcels and 16 billion letters every year.
Sir Brian Tuke, who was knighted by King Henry VIII, is credited with creating the nationwide postal network in 1516.