They do not make people like your dad any more

Charles' tribute to pal Spike Milligan in touching letters

- BY JEREMY ARMSTRONG

THEY were the most unlikely friends - the anarchic comic and the future King. But the then-Prince Charles and Spike Milligan were so close that the royal confided in the comedian's son James long after Spike's death.

James Milligan contacted Charles to thank him for the floral tribute he sent for the 2002 funeral of Spike, 83.

Charles wrote to James on August 29, 2003, from Balmoral, saying: "I was touched that you should have taken the trouble to tell me what your father really thought.

"We had a highly amusing correspondence over the years. Along with many others, I miss his particular brand of humour enormously.

"They don't make people like your father any more - sadly!"

Then a newcomer to letter-writing, marketing expert, James, 49, who has just published his first book of poems in time for Christmas, says the King encouraged his endeavours, also praising Spike's novel Puckoon.

Charles wrote: "I do hope your writing goes well and you can keep the family tradition going.