King Charles personally delivered a 100th birthday card as he marked the first time a monarch had visited Middlesbrough in over three decades.
He was joined by his wife, the Queen, as they packed in four engagements between them.
While on a walkabout in the Teeside town, Charles was introduced to birthday girl Rona Grafton, who had been waiting patiently to meet him.
He bent down and shook her hand and said: “A very, very happy birthday. Here’s a card from both of us.” Camilla added: “A very happy birthday.”
The King asked her carer “when is it?” and when she said she was celebrating her centenary today, he raised his hands in celebration.
The King then bent down and sweetly squeezed Rona’s hand, smiling: “It’s marvellous. You must be getting very cold. I hope this isn’t too much of a shock!”
British nationals can apply for a free birthday or anniversary message from the King and Queen for someone’s 100th and 105th birthday and each year after their 105th. Couples can also get a message for their 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversaries.
The special moment came at the end of their busy day where even royal aides were shocked at the huge turn-out of over 1,000 wellwishers – far more than had been expected.
Many were waving flags and cheering, while others had dressed up in union flag outfits or dressed up their dogs.
The King and Queen spent 20 minutes walking up and down, shaking hands with members of the throng, some who had waited several hours to catch a glimpse of Their Majesties.
A small group of Republic anti-monarchy protestors wielding bright yellow ‘not my King’ placards also gathered, but the couple chose to ignore them.
After moving down the line the king got into his waiting State Bentley with the Queen but had only got a few yards down the road when he saw how far the crowds stretched and asked his driver to stop so they could greet more wellwishers.
They then went their separate ways to conduct visits on causes close to their hearts, with the King focusing on sustainability and renewable energy, and the Queen on literacy.