SURPRISE APPEARANCES AROUND THE UK-A LUNCH WITH ROYALTY: PICNICS AND PARTIES IN THE SUNSHINE WITH SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

As the nation came together at street parties and celebrations up and down the country, the royal family thrilled revellers by dropping in to join some of them for lunch

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

The Prince and Princess of Wales surprised royal fans enjoying the Coronation Big Lunch in Windsor, while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined celebrations in Surrey. Elsewhere, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie mingled with locals on a village green in Buckinghamshire and the Princess Royal and husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended a street party in Swindon.

TUCKING IN 

More than 67,000 Coronation Big Lunch community events took place in all four corners of the UK as the country was encouraged to share food and friendship the day after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. And the King's family made sure they were part of it.

On the Long Walk at Windsor Castle, Prince William and Kate chatted to well-wishers and posed for selfies during an impromptu 40-minute walkabout, while families enjoyed picnics in the sunshine and others waited for the Coronation Concert being held that evening.

The flag-waving crowd gave three cheers for the royal couple and chanted: "God save the King," while Kate thanked one fan who told her: "Can I just say you looked absolutely beautiful yesterday - stunning."

As they mingled, a group of women enjoying a picnic of quiche, cucumber sandwiches and coronation-themed cupcakes offered the royal couple cocktails and local beer, including a gin called Purple Reign and an organic ale named Return of the King.

Dion English, 54, said of William: “I feel amazing that he tried my gin. He said it was very nice and said: ‘Kate, try this.’ He took the Return of the King beer and said he’s going to ask his dad if he’s tried it.”

FAIRYTALE COME TRUE