THE KING NO ARM DONE AS CHARLES FINDS HIMSELF MERRILY MAULED BY NEW ZEALAND RUGBY TEAM

He often faces a scrum for his attention. But King Charles faced a set-piece of a very different kind last week when he happily accepted a hearty hug from a rugby union player from New Zealand's national women's team, nicknamed the Black Ferns.

- KATHRYN WILSON

After meeting members of the squad who had flown over to the UK to take on England women's team, known as the Red Roses - at a Buckingham Palace reception, winger Ayesha LetiI'iga tackled the tricky question of whether she could try to embrace him.

He replied: "Hug, why not?" before the rest of the team joined in with the cuddle, leaving the monarch giggling.