Future King Joins Trade UnionIt has recently been reported that Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne of the United Kingdom, has joined a trade union. He has become a member of the trade union for writers, the Society of Authors. Prince Charles, born in 1948, is the author of two books: The Old Man of Lochnagar and A Vision of Britain. The first book is a children's story in which a mysterious old man haunts the mountain of Lochnagar in Scotland. The second book has caused a lot of discussion. The matter is the Prince of Wales is an advocate of more traditional architecture and would like to witness a return to the principles of classical architecture. It's only natural that the architectural establishment has been angered with his views. Isn't it strange that a millionaire of royal blood chose to join the trade union? Of course, he can expect some legal services as a member of the Society of Authors. His Union could help him to check the contracts with publishers in order to make sure that he is treated fairly. He might use the Society's photocopying equipment a little cheaper. If he fell on hard times, he could get financial help from the trade union. Mark le Fanu, General Secretary of the Society of Authors, which was founded in 1884 but became an official trade union only in 1978, is happy to welcome the Prince to the membership of the Union. He thinks it's unlikely that the Prince will ever need the Union's legal services. But he is sure that applying for membership the Prince displays a true interest in writing. The Prince doesn't overestimate his own literary talents. However, the critics say, that unlike many other famous people, the Prince of Wales wrote every word of his books himself. The Prince of Wales is not the only and the first notable personage — member of the Society. Such writers as Graham Greene and George Bernard Shaw have also been members. A number of people who are better known for their public standing than for their writing have been members too. Among these is Sir Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister, who was really talented with his pen. The Society unites 5000 members and many modern politicians are also applying for membership being novelists or thriller writers.
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