Charles hails Fortnum's moonlighting founder

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About 1,000 guests and staff gathered to celebrate the £24 million makeover and 300th birthday of the Piccadilly shop.

Charles toured the food and drink hall where he was given a taste of some Highgrove mutton.

Fortnum & Mason has supplied goods to the royal family since 1707 when cofounder William Fortnum was appointed footman in the household of Queen Anne and began selling used candles from the royal household.

Charles joked: "Can I just say what a great pleasure it is for me to be able to come and wish Fortnum & Mason a very happy 300th birthday and also to make the observation perhaps that moonlighting from Buckingham Palace obviously pays."

The store's managing director Beverley Aspinall escorted the Prince as he greeted staff members and customers.

She said: "We were very keen to show him what we do that has an association with Highgrove and the palaces.

"He was very interested in locally produced food, organic foods, and we have quite a lot of those to show in the lower ground floor."

The makeover of the store has been carried out in phases over the past two years.