UK

The King and the Queen Consort have enjoyed some tasty treats as they sampled macarons, gelato and banana bread as well as sipping some gin during a trip to Yorkshire.

The royal couple visited the market town of Malton, known as the county’s food capital, where hundreds of people turned out to greet them despite the rain.

They toured six local food and drink producers at Talbot Yard Food Court and had freebies at four.

As he walked into the Rare Bird Distillery with his wife, the King quipped: “Nothing more fun than a gin distillery.”

He tried some of the owners’ award-winning London Dry Gin, saying: “I’ll just have a tiny sip.”

But he turned down the vanilla-flavoured variety, joking: “It’s not quite the right time of day.”

The royals then went to Florian Poirot Master Patissier, where Camilla tasted a lemon bergamot macaron, describing it as “tres bien” (French for very good).

The Queen Consort later had a sample of mango gelato at Groovy Moo ice cream parlour, saying it was “lovely”.

‘No airs and graces’

Shop owner Michelle Walker said: “You couldn’t ask for a more genuine couple, there were no airs and graces, they were just like a normal couple that come here on a Wednesday. It was like we’d known them for years.

“At times I actually forgot who they were. I know people have been saying ‘will he struggle as King’ but I think he’ll walk it.”

The couple then shared a piece of banana bread at Bluebird Bakery.

Charles and Camilla also visited butcher’s shop Food 2 Remember and Roost Coffee & Roastery before leaving the converted coaching yard as a local brass band played.

During their trip, they met people from several local charities.

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It was Camilla’s first engagement since her new title of Queen Camilla was unveiled on invitations for the King’s coronation, which takes place next month.