Charles and Camilla's tribute to poet

4:24pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a plaque in tribute to poet John Milton at the end of a visit to south Bucks.

The royal couple were in south Bucks to visit a former home of Milton as part of celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of his birth.

They toured the building for just over an hour and met gardeners, volunteers and supporters of the Milton Cottage Trust.

For more pictures see the bottom of the page.

The couple - whose visit came after the Prince's brother Edward opened Eden in High Wycombe this month - then unveiled a commemorative plaque Visitors came from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the couple.

More than 200 people lined the streets of Chalfont St Giles to see the royal couple.

Former village resident Lynn Callet and her family returned from France just for the event.

She said: "It is quite exciting to see them in real life.

"We spoke to them, it was quite short. Prince Charles spoke to my daughter and asked her about the school holidays."

Carol Casey, 61, of Deanway, said: "I went to take some photos but they both shook my hand so I didn't get any."

She added: "Camilla said it is a lovely day today".

Mark Raf-Challif, from Chalfont St Peter, turned out to meet Charles and Camilla with sons Oliver and Alex.

He said: "They both came over and said hello'. They asked my son if school had broken up yet and they shook our hands.

"It is just so amazing to be so close to them. You always see them on TV at major events so it is lovely to see them here."

The grade 1-listed building in Deanway is the only known former home of Milton that still stands.

He moved to the cottage in 1665 where he completed Paradise Lost, his most famous work.

A limited-edition copy of the book, which featured drawings by author and illustrator William Blake, was handed to the couple.

Earlier in the day, Charles and Camilla visited Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes, where the enigma code was cracked during the Second World War.