Prince Charles is fine with Ben Elton's jokes

Prince Charles has told Ben Elton ‘not to worry’ about the remarks he made about the Royal Family.

The comedian wrote to the Prince of Wales after comments he made on Australian satirical show Good News Week stirred up outrage – at least according to the newspapers.

But he today said: ‘I wrote an email to the Prince Of Wales, explaining what had happened and apologising for causing such a hoo-ha.rn‘I got a nice note back telling me they understood and not to worry.’

On the programme, Elton said of the Queen: ‘She's a sad little old lady who lives in state sponsored accommodation, her husband is a mad old bigot who wishes it was still the war, three out of four of her kids' marriages have failed - that's very common.

‘The eldest one is a disillusioned ex-hippy, the middle one a bit of a yob, the youngest lad we used to think took it from behind. I’m just saying that's a bog-standard British family in all its rainbow glory.

‘If she had a black one and a disabled one, she'd have the full deck.’

It has been widely reported that the 50-year-old comic had apologised for the comments.

But, in fact, his spokesman only said he was sorry ‘for any offence which may have been caused’ – not for making the comments in the first place. ‘The quotes have been taken entirely out of context,’ he publicist added.

Writing in today’s Sun, Elton defended his remarks – saying he was making a pro-monarchist point.

He said: ‘You have to have a head of state and I'd rather have someone who has to do the job than someone who wants to do the job.

‘I was trying to be funny on the show but I was making a serious point.

‘I have huge respect for the Queen. We're lucky to have such an honest, decent and trustworthy person as head of state.

‘I've done the same material on British TV and nobody objected - it was comedy delivered with affection and respect. But you can't take stand-up out of context, it looks ridiculous.’

Published: 19 Nov 2009