Labour-Labor. Centre-center. Litre-liter. Colour-color.

Can you tell the difference?

Well, for a while people were concerned that Prince Charles couldn’t.

Which isn’t a good thing because in the British originated the language.

A recent letter sent to the French president from Prince Charles expressing his condolences over the burning of Notre-Dame revealed more than just his grief.

The Telegraph explains:

The letter, printed on Clarence House headed writing paper and reproduced on the palace’s social media pages, read: “My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the terrible fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral this evening and wanted to let you know immediately how much we are thinking of yourself and the French people at this most agonizing of times, and of the emergency services who are so bravely tackling the blaze.

“I realize only too well what a truly special significance the Cathedral holds at the heart of your nation; but also for us all outside France it represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western Civilization.”

This is the letter

See that spelling of ‘civiliZation’? The grammar police on social media were not having it:

Social media users were quick to point out that “agonizing, realize and civilization” would more usually be spelled “agonising, realise and civilisation” in English, with the -ize suffix more commonly used in America.

“Are you an American or the future king?” “Maybe it was written by an American. “Maybe Charles dictated a letter and Meghan wrote it up lol.”

Some think it’s Meghan Markle who has taken over social communication for the Royals. She’s a busy woman so that seems unlikely.

Clarence House cleared things up. It’s a habit that the Prince has picked up

Examination of the Prince’s letters showed that he has regularly chosen to use an -ize suffix, in a habit unusual in modern English but nevertheless correct.

Both ‘realize’ and ‘civilization’ has origins in early 17th century French, while ‘agonize’ could come from late 16th century French, or the late Latin “agonizare” from the Greek “agonizesthai”.

Now you know.

[source:telegraph]