Prince Charles believes Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames could lead the Conservative Party - according to the gossip columns, at least.

Charles is a big fan of the former armed forces minister and thinks he would make a strong Prime Minister.

According to Sunday Times diary columnist Atticus, the future king spoke highly of Mr Soames at a party with friends.

Charles has a long-standing relationship with the MP, whose grandfather Winston Churchill was Britain's most famous prime minister.

Mr Soames served as the prince's equerry between 1970 and 1972, prior to his election as MP for Crawley in 1983. He switched to the Mid Sussex seat in 1997.

Last year he was linked to a controversial letter penned by the prince criticising the Government's countryside policy.

The letter, sent to Tony Blair, provoked a storm as MPs such as Lewes Liberal Democrat Norman Baker said it was "unconstitutional" for Charles to step into the world of politics.

Mr Soames was forced to strongly deny reports he penned the highly critical letter.

The MP was unavailable for comment today.