LONDON, England (CNN) -- Prince Charles has launched legal action against a British newspaper group over the publication of details from one of his private journals, his office announced. A spokesman for the heir to the British throne said he had reluctantly taken the decision after extracts appeared in the Mail On Sunday. The journal contained Charles's trenchant views on the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese, including one comment describing Chinese diplomats as "appalling old waxworks." The prince's spokesman told CNN that the legal action related to previously published material but would also apply to any material the Associated Newspaper group planned to use in the future. A statement from Clarence House said: "The Prince of Wales has reluctantly decided to take legal action against Associated Newspapers following the publication of extracts from his private journals in the Mail on Sunday."The Prince of Wales's office has been advised by lawyers that the Mail on Sunday has breached both the Prince of Wales's copyright and confidentiality." Sir Michael Peat, Charles's Principal Private Secretary, said the breach had been made clear to the newspaper. "This is a matter of principle," he said."Like anybody else, the Prince of Wales is entitled to write a private journal without extracts being published. "This journal was copied and passed to the Mail on Sunday without permission. "We have made this clear to the Mail on Sunday on five occasions, both orally and in writing. "Nevertheless, the Mail on Sunday proceeded to publish these extracts despite the knowledge that it was a breach of the Prince of Wales's copyright and confidence." There was no immediate comment from the newspaper. The Mail on Sunday had reported that the prince often wrote journals concerning important world events he was involved in, sending copies to a select group of friends and influential people. The China journal -- entitled "The Handover of Hong Kong -- or The Great Chinese Takeaway" -- was disparaging about "Soviet-style" Chinese ceremonies and called a speech by then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin as "propaganda."British Prime Minister Tony Blair is also said to have been mentioned with the prince attacking papers produced by political advisers "none of whom will have ever experienced what it is they are taking decisions about."Details from the diary were published only days after an official visit to the UK by Chinese President Hu Jintao.The prince, a supporter of the Dalai Lama, was accused of boycotting the last state visit by a Chinese leader by failing to attend the official banquet. Charles side-stepped the issue this time by being out of the country on the night of the official dinner earlier this month, as he was travelling back from the United States with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. It is rare for a member of the Royal Family to take legal action. In November 2003, the queen launched a legal bid to prevent the Daily Mirror from publishing further revelations about journalist Ryan Parry's employment as a footman at Buckingham Palace. The legal row was settled in the High Court when the newspaper agreed to a permanent injunction banning it from publishing further material. The Daily Mirror had to contribute £25,000 ($42,800) towards the queen's legal costs. On Thursday Clarence House, announced Thursday that Charles was giving up polo, the equestrian sport he has played for more than 40 years.(Full story)A spokesman said Charles, who turned 57 this week, had "regretfully" decided not to return to the polo field next season.