Prince Charles attempted to try and postpone the US invasion of Afghanistan due to Ramadan, it was claimed last night.

The Prince of Wales allegedly contacted the US ambassador to London to ask if the conflict, which was launched following the September 11 attacks, could be halted to allow for the Muslim holy month.

According to a new biography, the reply to the Prince was "Sir, are you really serious?".

The book claims his intervention came behind the back of then prime minister Tony Blair, according to extracts in the Daily Mail.