Camilla: The King's getting better...Well, he would be if he behaved himself!

THE Queen revealed yesterday that the King is "getting better" before quipping: "Well, he would be if he behaved himself."

- Emily Ferguson

Camilla gave an update on her husband while chatting to guests at a garden party at Lamb House in Rye, East Sussex, where actors Timothy West, 89, and Hayley Mills, 78, put on a show.

She said the King was "quite cross" he could not join her at the National Trust property as he is a fan of novelist EF Benson who used to live there.

Charles, 75, returned to public-facing duties last month amid cancer treatment. Last night he attended a gala tribute to Sir Antonio Pappano, outgoing music director of the Royal Opera House.

The one-off show celebrated Sir Antonio's 22-year tenure which saw him conduct the Coronation Orchestra last year. It featured musicians including singers Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel. At the end, the King joined Sir Antonio on stage and met principal artists.

Earlier Camilla, 76, had again shown her love for the Harry Potter book series, revealing she dreams of being a student at Hogwarts, during her surprise appearance to help launch a literary festival.

She spoke to pupils at the 35th Charleston Festival in East Sussex.