SUPPORTED BY FAMILY THE KING AND QUEEN MIX TRADITION WITH FUN IN EDINBURGH DURING ROYAL WEEK

The King was on cracking form at a garden party he was hosting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, enjoying himself so much that he asked to stay longer than planned.

Joined by the Queen, the monarch, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, greeted hundreds of the 8,000 people gathered at his official Scottish residence.

He roared with laughter when one guest, the Rev. Mark Miller from Stockton-on-Tees, told him: "Welcome to the fun section."

Mark, who was born in Lanark, said afterwards: "I pointed out that he was my boss as [head of] the Church of England and he said he was delighted to have a Scotsman there."

The King traditionally hosts a garden party at the Scottish palace each summer to coincide with Holyrood Week, also known as Royal Week in Scotland, when the royal family visit various regions to meet Scots from all walks of life and celebrate local culture, achievement and community.

Charles and Camilla, who was elegant in a Fiona Clare dress and coat with a Philip Treacy hat, teamed with one of the late Queen Elizabeth II's brooches, were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the garden party.

WARM WELCOME