King Charles' Graceful Reaction To 'Grovelling B******' Comment

King Charles demonstrated his grace when a comedian jokingly called him a "grovelling b*****rd" at an award event. In 1994, comedy writer Spike Milligan received the Lifetime Achievement award at the British Comedy Awards.

Milligan rose to fame in Britain during the 1950s as one of the original members and key contributors to The Goon Show, a hugely popular and surreal BBC radio comedy that entertained millions in the post-war era.

The King was a longtime admirer of the show before his ascension to the throne, and he reportedly developed a personal friendship with Milligan.

As he took to the stage to accept the award for his extensive contributions to radio and TV, Milligan brushed away a tear while receiving a standing ovation from the celebrity-filled audience.

After joking that he would treat the accolade as a "golden handshake," the host, Jonathan Ross, read a heartfelt message from the then-Prince Charles.

It was a high praise for Milligan, with the royal noting he was "someone who grew up to the sounds of The Goon Show on the steam-driven wireless".

While Ross proceeded, Milligan, who was in his mid-70s at that time, humorously interrupted: "Ah, the little grovelling b******," causing the crowd to burst into shocked laughter.

Ross gave up on reading it aloud as laughter erupted while the comedian left the stage.

Milligan mentioned he later apologised to the royal and humorously faxed him asking: "I suppose a knighthood is out of the question."

However, the King reputedly had a good laugh about it. Milligan revealed to an interviewer that Charles responded with humour, saying: "I'm sorry, all the New Year's knighthoods are full up, but try a little light grovelling and one might come your way'," BBC News noted.

Milligan, who embraced his father's Irish citizenship, was ultimately awarded an honorary knighthood for his contributions to comedy in the Queen's New Year's Honours List of 2000.

Charles personally handed him the medal during the investiture ceremony. Milligan had earlier been given an honorary title as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1992.

He passed away at his residence at the age of 83 in February 2002 after a long-term illness.

Upon hearing of his demise, the King expressed: "It was an immense sadness to learn of Spike Milligan's death, and my heart goes out to all his family.

"It is hard to see Spike's parting as anything other than the end of a great era of British comedy, exemplified by Spike's extraordinary genius for the play on words and for the art of the nonsensical, unexpected.

"His particular form of hilarity and wit, apart from helping to sustain the British spirit through the unmentionable horrors of war, has provided countless millions with the kind of helpless mirth which adds unique value to life.

"To have a gift of that sort is truly life-enhancing. Personally, but along with so many others, I shall miss his irreverent and hysterical presence and can only say that the world really will be the poorer for his departure."