THE Prince of Wales has accepted that it is now his duty, following his father’s retirement from public life, to say those things to those people.

Prince Charles is thought to have accepted his responsibility with a heavy heart but recognises that the Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy must continue.

He said: “It is a sad day both for my father and for me, because he enjoyed making those remarks to the same degree that I abhor them.

“But it must carry on, and so over the next month I will visit a Chinese school, a sailing project for gay youths, a rehabilitation centre for amputees, an urban garden in Brixton, and Nigeria.

“I hope you all enjoy the things I will say, and please pardon me if I am hesitant or stumble over my words. They do not come naturally to me.

“Thankfully when I become King this role will pass to my younger brother Andrew, who’ll be fantastic at it.”