The Prince of Wales last night issued a strong statement denying all suggestions that he would be "delighted" if Queen Elizabeth were to abdicate.
A controversial TV film, Charles at 50, was aired on commercial television last night, and the BBC news programme Panorama tonight will broadcast another programme about the prince, who turns 50 this week.
Last night an investigation was said to be under way into which, if any, of the prince's advisers had given the documentary-makers a briefing which said the prince was frustrated by his very long wait for the throne. Queen Elizabeth is 73. The prince believes that, even if his advisers had given factual information to the London Weekend Television programme, they were not responsible for the abdication story which he described as "abhorrent".
A statement issued by the office of the Prince of Wales - who is in Bulgaria - said he had telephoned the queen to say how distressed he was about the reports.
He had moved quickly to dissociate himself from the contents of a press release about the programme issued by LWT.
Prince Charles said: "I begin to tire of needing to issue denials of false stories about all manner of thoughts which I am alleged to be having. Some stories are so preposterous that they barely warrant a denial. However, others are both so outrageous and hurtful to my family, to the monarchy and to me personally, that they demand a response.
"The claims made in LWT's press notice are not only deeply offensive but completely wrong. They in no way reflect my views."
The LWT programme also claimed that even if the prince married Camilla Parker Bowles, she would never become queen.
Further claims were that the Princess Royal would become the King's royal partner, accompanying him on official engagements and representing the Crown on trips abroad; and that the prince believed the monarchy needed radical modernising.
It was also claimed that the prince wanted to streamline the royal family, with the Duke of York and Prince Edward becoming "non-working royals" and no longer receiving public money.
The prince's statement said: "There is no one with a greater sense of duty and loyalty than the queen. She is an example to us all and I find comments such as these abhorrent.
"The queen will always have my abiding admiration and affection and any suggestion that I wish Her Majesty to abdicate is utterly ludicrous.
"This is yet another example of people trying to create divisions in my family where they do not exist. It may successfully boost viewing figures but it is wrong."