READERS were clearly impressed by the Prince of Wales's handiwork, and displayed their customary breadth of sympathy: "Since mummy has come home from hospital, one has had to make one's own clothes" (John Radford); and "Don't worry, there's no hurry for my coronation robes" (James Betteridge).

There were the inevitable puns: "Sew, what do you do, then?" (J. D. R. Lloyd and others); "The Prince was somewhat chal- lenged by a modern interpretation of the parable of the sower" (Mark Smith); "Given his interest in farming, Prince Charles had been very keen on the offer of trying out a new sowing machine" (Michael Foster); and "Stitched up for yet another photograph" (James Betteridge).

In the republican corner, we had: "You're a NEET on benefits. It's this or Poundland. So get over it" (John Saxbee); "The Government's back-to-work scheme wasn't working" (John Parkin); and "A sweatshop in post-revolution England" (Jonnie Parkin).

In the dynasty corner: "And this will be for my first grandchild. Do you have any pink cotton?" (James Betteridge); "I would stick with the white, Sir; then it will be fine for a boy or a girl" (Sue Chick); and "I've never made a christening robe before" (Valerie Budd).

In no particular corner: "Mothers enjoy gifts made for them by their children" (Sandra Tracey); "One actually feels oneself infused by the guiding presence of the Mahatma" (Andrew Todd); "And to think, my father used to travel on elephants and chase wild animals on his Royal visits" and "Can this sew Ermine?" (both from Chris Coupe); and "Vanpoulles were hoping to add 'By Appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales' to their vestments in future" (Daphne Foster).

We especially liked: "It finally dawned on Prince Charles that he never got any good material to work with" (Jacky Wise); "Gladys stood back to admire her handiwork. She just knew her new range of 'Windsor Onesies' was going to be a hit" and "As she pricked her finger on the sewing-machine needle, a strange thing happened to her pet frog" (both by Jonnie Parkin); and "So that's got the white cassock sorted. Now where does one find red shoes?" and "Will one's mum look big in this?" (Charles Taylor).

Two winners will receive the Fairtrade chocolate donated by Divine (divinechocolate.com).

"One is just finishing one's onesie"
Hazel Gowland

"I asked for a new ruler to replace this old tape measure, and look what they sent"
Wendy Hall

Have a go at our next caption-competition picture (below). Entries must reach us by Friday 22 March.