Queen heads off Charles' bid to open Games

LONDON - The Queen has pulled rank over Prince Charles to thwart his bid to open next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The Queen had accepted the invitation from Games organisers to open the event next March, but Charles had reportedly made approaches to the Australian government.

British newspaper the Sunday Times today reported that Charles had indicated to the Australian government he wanted to take his wife the Duchess of Cornwall to the Games.

The newspaper quoted a source close to the government complaining that Charles approached the issue of taking his mother's place "like a bull in a china shop".

"He just makes the wrong sorts of attempts," the source told the Sunday Times.

"It's a clear inability to understand the politics of it."

The source said the prince was keen to boost his popularity in Australia after his low-key tour before his wedding in April.

After his engagement and wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles strengthened support for the republican movement in Australia, Charles is apparently keen to win public acceptance for the marriage by embarking on joint public engagements.

He is also anxious to assert his position as the future leader of the Commonwealth.

But the Queen's decision to open the Games indicates she will not hand her overseas duties over to her eldest son and heir just yet.

The Queen turns 80 next year and it had been reported she would scale down her international travel, but she seems determined to remain an active head of the Commonwealth.

She is due to fly to Canada this week and will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman told the Sunday Times she was not aware of any approach on behalf of the prince.

"It had always been the Queen's intention to accept the organisers' invitation to open the Games," she said.

- AAP