A SPECIAL house guest has shown his gratitude for the Royal welcome he was given to a flooded York home.
The Prince of Wales visited the Shipton Road home of Margaret Walker, 62, after it was devastated by rising waters during the worst York floods in living memory.
The Prince had been visiting affected areas in York and Selby.
Mrs Walker has now received a surprise parcel containing a signed copy of The Garden At Highgrove, a book co-written by the Prince, as a thank-you.
She said: "He asked me about the damage done to my garden during the flood, and I told him that I had been reading a serialisation in a national newspaper about his garden, but had missed the last couple of instalments because of the flood.
"The next I knew, I was receiving this in the post."
The book is signed simply: 'Charles 2000'.
Mrs Walker said: "It was a marvellous experience having him visiting my house, but it all seems like a dream now.
"This is just such a kind gesture and it is something that I would certainly not have expected."
The book was accompanied by a message from Prince Charles's private secretary.
He said: "The Prince of Wales was very grateful to you for your kindness in showing him something of the very sad circumstances in which you find yourself following the terrible flooding of the last few weeks.
"His Royal Highness well understands the upsetting difficulties that you will be facing over the next few months, along with many other families who have suffered as a result of the floods.
"While his Royal Highness can do little to help in a direct way, he has asked me to pass on his sympathy and encouragement over these difficult months."
adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk
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