Attacking the royals will only harm the yobs

It was business as usual for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall despite an attack by thugs (yes thugs) as they travelled to the Royal Variety Performance, writes Shirley Tart.

The last member of the royal family hijacked while driving through London was Princess Anne in 1974. There was a kidnap attempt when she and her then husband Captain Mark Phillips, were travelling home through the Mall late at night.

Yesterday her brother's car became the target for student protesters. White paint was thrown, a window smashed, the car kicked and belted by bottles and anything else in sight.

We will be asked to accept that these were either hangers on (some with sinister masks) to the student protest or good hearted young people protecting their future. Rubbish.

You had only to watch news bulletins to know that thousands, not some wayward minority, were up for violence and a wrecking campaign yesterday which had damn all to do with the debate going on at Westminster.

That was an excuse to run wild, attack police, cause wanton damage in our capital city and claim it as legitimate protest.

Charles and Camilla were unharmed but the baying mob outside the car window was absolutely terrifying. And how much more so for ordinary folk making their own way home without royal protection and being very much at risk.

If these out-of-control yobs think this is any way to harness public support, they are wrong.

Even those of us who might have sympathised with the principle at stake and support legitimate protest, can't remotely tolerate the terrible attacks and dangerous behaviour we saw in London again.

If young people think this is any way to make points or legitimately protest, are they bright enough for a university place anyway? While others who misguidedly thought they were there for an organised, peaceful march, will get tarred with the same brush.

It can only be a matter of time before someone dies in these mindless riots. And then of course it will be anyone else's fault.

Maybe it was a clanger to take the heir to the throne anywhere near the troubles. But if the royal couple had chickened out and cancelled their evening, they'd have been verbally trashed. Instead it will be back to blaming the police. Who'd be a London bobby?