Actor Colin Salmon has praised the move to have Prince Charles guest edit the 40th anniversary edition of the UK’s most prominent black newspaper, The Voice.
The James Bond actor, 60, said the appointment reflected the royal’s ‘commitment to young people and our culture’.
In a Good Morning Britain interview today, he added that the move helps attract more readers to the publication.
The future king took on the editorship of the newspaper to mark its milestone, with the edition also including interviews with Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Idris Elba.
Prince Charles guest edited The Voice newspaper on its 40th anniversary and said he was ‘so touched’ to be asked to take the helm at the ‘institution’
In his editor’s letter, Charles, pictured at an event in November last year, wrote about his aim to tackle racial injustice in society
Actor Colin Salmon has praised the move to have Prince Charles guest edit the 40th anniversary edition of the UK’s most prominent black newspaper, The Voice
Some have taken to social media to voice their distaste of the decision, with some branding it ‘disappointing’.
Discussing his feeling on hearing the news, Colin said: ‘I was very excited about it because, diversity, different views, different opinions.
‘I know through the work I’ve done with The Prince’s Trust over the 25 years. His commitment to young people and our culture.’
Addressing criticisms, he continued: ‘It’s called The Voice… we want to hear all voices…
‘There’s probably a lot of people in the country who have never read it, who may now look at it…so, lets be honest that’s got to be good for it…very positive.’
The Voice’s executive editor Paulette Simpson also appeared on the programme to discuss why Charles’ involvement was an important move for the publication’s commitment to campaigning
The Voice’s executive editor Paulette Simpson also appeared on GMB today to discuss why Charles’ involvement was an important move for the publication’s commitment to campaigning.
‘In order to facilitate change, we need all voices around the table,’ she said. ‘By the very nature of what he’s been doing beyond 40 years, we thought he’s campaigned for the issues we campaigned on.’
She highlighted the Prince’s charity work, stressing his work in helping young people over the years.
Paulette added: ‘Through the Prince’s Trust, he has helped young people to realise their full potential, not only to give them a level playing field but to give them finance to support them.
Discussing his feeling on hearing the news, Colin said: ‘I was very excited about it because, diversity…different views, different opinions…’
‘When you’re campaigning for better society, it’s important that everybody is around the table. not just the people who are affected.’
She said Charles got ‘heavily involved’ while guest editing the issue.
The executive editor revealed that she was ‘surprised’ by the ‘amount of work he and his team had done’ around issues The Voice has campaigned about, including education, domestic abuse and cohesiveness in society.
‘Sometimes there are more similarities than differences,’ Paulette added.
‘I think it’s important he acknowledges the role The Voice has played for the last 40 years… many haven’t, he has.
Colin added: ”…I know through the work I’ve done with The Prince’s Trust over the 25 years….his commitment to young people and our culture…’
‘And I hope this will be an example to others to collaborate with organisations such as ourselves and others.’
She added that collaboration is important, but it is ‘only people who are affected can tell their stories… then it becomes authentic’.
In his editor’s letter, Charles wrote about his aim to tackle racial injustice in society.
He penned: ‘You have welcomed me into your communities with wonderful enthusiasm and I am grateful that you have always been candid with me about the issues you continually face and how I might help.’
The executive editor revealed that she was ‘surprised’ by the ‘amount of work he and his team had done’ around issues The Voice has campaigned about
Charles added: ‘The black community is a source of inspiration to me.’
Baroness Lawrence is expected to reveal details of a new scholarship launched by the Stephen Lawrence Foundation and Prince Charles in the special edition newspaper.
The one-year diploma programme will commemorate the life of aspiring architect Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in a racist attack in south-east London in 1993.
The heir to the throne has often paid tribute to the teenager, who was murdered while waiting for a bus, who shared Charles’s love of architecture.
‘Sometimes there are more similarities than differences,’ Paulette added. ‘I think it’s important he acknowledges the role The Voice has played for the last 40 years…many haven’t, he has’
She added that collaboration is important, but it is ‘only people who are affected can tell their stories…then it becomes authentic’
In April, the Prince invited Baroness Lawrence to Dumfries House in Scotland to discuss how his charities could work with her foundation.
As well as an article written by the guest editor himself, the 40th anniversary edition of The Voice will also include an interview with Hollywood actor Idris Elba.
In the piece, he talks about how The Prince’s Trust gave him a grant at the age of 16 which he said ‘opened doors’ that changed his life.
After being asked to take on the editorship of the newspaper, the Prince of Wales said he was ‘touched’ and described the publication as ‘an institution’, The Guardian reports.
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