The Cabinet office has defended the decision to give Britain's Prince Charles access to secret government documents.
Prince Charles
The 66-year-old royal has been allowed to see Cabinet documents over the last few decades - but a spokesperson for the Cabinet has rubbished criticism of the move, saying it's important the future king can is kept informed on important matters.
He said: "It has been established practice for many years that the sovereign and the heir to the throne receive the minutes of cabinet meetings.
"It is important that the head of state and her heir are properly briefed."
The news came to light following a successful Freedom of Information request and poses more questions about the prince's involvement in British politics.
Earlier this year, after another Freedom of Information Act battle, the so-called "black spider letters" sent by Prince Charles to ministers were released into the public domain.
The controversial letters covered a broad range of topics, including defence spending, badger culls and the NHS, and led critics to claim the prince had no right to interfere in British politics because he is the heir to the throne.
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