The Duke of York paid a special visit to St Albans to attend the 50th anniversary party of the company that does the royal household’s tailoring.

Goldings Tailors, which is based in Hatfield Road, makes the officers’ uniforms for the majority of regiments and corps in the British Armed Forces.

The company celebrated the landmark birthday with a charity party in aid of Dyslexia Action at Sopwell House Hotel on Thursday, May 23, with Prince Andrew as the guest of honour.

Geoffrey Golding, who holds the Queen’s Warrant for Tailoring Services, said: "I sent an invitation but hardly dared hope it would be accepted.

"It was such a generous gesture by His Royal Highness."

Among the other 250 guests were the High Sheriff of St Albans and Andy Bliss, the county’s chief constable.

Mr Golding added: "Frankly, it was hard to take in.

"When I opened my shop in St Albans as a naive 19-year-old in 1963 I was full of ridiculous ambition, but I could never ever have predicted a day such as this.

"Everyone present was very excited to see the Duke of York and we were delighted that HRH talked to as many guests as he could."