Prince Charles in tribute to armed forces

Prince Charles has paid tribute to British forces fighting in Afghanistan in a Christmas radio broadcast to troops serving overseas.

In his message, recorded last week at St James' Palace and aired on Boxing Day, the prince said all those stationed abroad were very much in his thoughts and prayers.

He also joked about receiving a letter from his son, Prince Harry, an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner serving with the Army Air Corps, who has been stationed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan since September.

Charles says with two sons currently serving in the Armed Forces, one of whom is out there, he really does have at least some understanding of what loved ones on the 'home front' are going through.

He says servicemen and women could keep in touch with relatives through phone calls and the internet "or, in the case of my younger son, to receive a very rare and precious letter in answer to mine".