Last Thursday was THE Lunch at the Royal Pavilion. Having dithered about what to wear I finally decided on a little black dress and shoes with new lavender jacket.

The invitations said to arrive just after 12, so I did so and was escorted to the kitchens, where guests were served canaps and champagne. Luckily I met up with an ex-colleague from my A&E days so had someone to chat to.

We were shown to the banqueting room just before 1pm and seated at our tables, smaller round ones surrounding the long banqueting table which is permanently laid for what looks like a 40-course banquet, and remained unused. I found I was sitting at the Duke of Edinburgh's table. The royal couple appeared shortly afterwards and everyone at our table was introduced to the Duke.

He cast an eye over the big table saying, "there's a few more people to come then," as he sat down, which my neighbour Sue Addis who runs Donatello, daughter's favourite Pizza place, said showed he did have the sense of humour that is always attributed to him.

The meal was truly gorgeous - vegetable terrine followed by chicken in a wild mushroom sauce and a really pretty pudding of white chocolate torte with a raspberry sauce.

I had left "him- indoors" sorting out the garden so half an hour later I was in my jeans, helping. Saw the royal helicopter passing overhead and realised we were all returning to our usual lives.

This was confirmed by daughter who, when she came home and found out who I had been sitting with, said: "Didn't you get her recipe for pizza then?"