IN THE MARKET FOR A GOOD DAY OUT THEIR MAJESTIES DELIGHT CROWDS IN COVENT GARDEN AS VISIT BRINGS CENTRAL LONDON TO A STANDSTILL

It was their first joint engagement since the coronation so the King and Queen made sure it was a memorable occasion in London last week.

- LAURA BENJAMIN

Traffic ground to a halt and tourists gathered in the cobbled streets of Covent Garden to try to spy the royal couple, who spent an hour in the busy area at the heart of the city. They met traders, visitors and performers and shook hands and had a brief word with many of them.

The King and Queen stopped first at St Paul’s Church, which was marking its 390th anniversary. Children from nearby St Clement Danes Primary School greeted the visitors at the place of worship, also known as the Actors’ Church, and they were treated to a classic Punch and Judy puppet show before being shown around the church by the rector, the Rev. Simon Grigg, and his husband Paul Haugen.

The Queen met women from the Drama for Healing group, whose members – victims of human trafficking and domestic violence – wore specially crafted masks. “I like your masks. Did you make those? What beautiful masks,” Camilla told them, while her husband chatted to performers from theatre shows in nearby West End venues, including Moulin Rouge and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.