Beijing, Dec. 1 -- Sex scenes have been banned from a 2-million-pound (US$3.44- million) TV drama about Prince Charles and Camilla ¡ª to avoid upsetting the British royals.

    The rudest the film gets is when a hand is seen slowly creeping underneath the prince's red silk dressing gown.

    "Whatever Love Means" producer Jolyon Symonds said: It is a very sensitive issue and we did not want to antagonize anyone."

    Buckingham Palace will escape a repeat of the saucy scenes seen Sunday when Channel 4 screened its controversial drama about Princess Margaret.

    "Whatever Love Means" traces the relationship between Charles and Camilla after their first meeting at a polo match in 1971 until the day Charles married Diana 10 years later.

    Symonds said: "I am well aware that most TV dramas use any excuse to throw in nudity and sex. But personally that is the moment when I go and make the tea. I am sure other people do the same. Sex scenes are a turn-off for many. They do not tell you anything about the characters."

    "They are not necessary to tell the love story of Charles and Camilla, even though I accept they must have had a very passionate relationship."

    The drama, which goes out on ITV1 before Christmas, makes do with the sight of a rumpled empty bed to indicate a night of passion.

    Symonds said: "People might think it old-fashioned, but because the royals are involved there has to be a degree of sensitivity. And there was the danger the sight of the royal bottom going up and down would leave us open to ridicule."

    Actor Laurence Fox, who plays Charles, said: "It is right that there are no explicit sex scenes. Who wants to see the future king and queen at it?"

    But Olivia Poulet, who plays Camilla, said: "There were moments when I thought they should have been in bed together. Not necessarily having sex, but pillow-talking."

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily.com/Agencies)