This is the moment Prince Charles took pity on a flood-hit family and broke with Royal protocol – to sign an AUTOGRAPH.
The Prince of Wales whipped out his Royal Parker pen and scribbled ‘CHARLEY 2010’ on a scrap of paper for the victims.
He was visiting residents in Cornwall to lend his support after the county was hit by torrential downpours last week.
Among them were Tony and Meg Hendy – whose home in St Blazey had been deluged with water and mud.
As he said farewell to the couple he asked them if there was anything he could do to help and Meg replied by cheekily asking for an autograph.
She asked him: ”Can I be really cheeky please sir and can I have your autograph for my young son Tom? I’m not sure if you do autographs but it would make his day?”
Charles then stunned his protection squad by asking one of them to find a piece of paper for him to sign.
The Prince then wrote ‘CHARLEY 2010′ and even apologised for the ”shaky writing” because he ”never writes standing up”.
Photographer Paul Williams, who witnessed the unique signing last Wednesday, said the Prince seemed ”genuinely touched” by their plight.
He said: ”The Hendys’ whose house was one of the worst affected was the only property that he visited.
”He seemed genuinely touched by this couple and said if he could help in anyway he would. Then Mrs Hendy asked him for an autograph.
”As everyone knows Royal protocol means that the Queen and Prince Charles never give autographs. They may sign visitors books or official documents, but autographs never.
”Charles astounded his protection squad and asked them to find him some paper, which they did.
”Then with a detective holding a file for him to rest on, he whipped out his Royal Parker pen and scribbled ‘CHARLEY 2010’ on it.
”They’ve gone from the depths of despair losing all of their belongings just before Christmas to having a Royal visit and obtaining an unheard of souvenir.”
