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The architects, among them Zaha Hadid, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, Frank Gehry, and Richard Burdett, wrote a letter published in yesterday's Sunday Times that accuses the prince of skewing the democratic process. The paper had reported the week before that Charles had persuaded the Qatari royal family, which owns the development site in question, the former Chelsea Barracks, to consider more traditional brick and stone structures instead of glass and steel buildings proposed by the project's architect, Richard Rogers.

“If the prince wants to comment on the design of this or any other project, we urge him to do so through the established planning consultation process,” reads the letter.

“The developers have chosen carefully in selecting the best architect for the sensitive project. Rogers and his team have played their part in the democratic process. The prince and his advisers should do the same.”

Charles, who is known for his opposition to modernist architecture, has argued that Foster's buildings would look inappropriate alongside the adjacent Royal Hospital Chelsea. He reportedly wants his favorite architect, Quinlan Terry, who is known for neo-classical design, to take over the project.