Prince Wills visits Melton pubs

Licensees in the sleepy Leicestershire market town of Melton Mowbray had a right royal time last week.

Heir to the throne, Prince William, was out and about in Melton for a couple of days, while staying with two friends who lived nearby.

The first night's stay left diners and staff at one of the town's Asian restaurants gobsmacked as the Prince, who was not unexpected, walked in and sat down to a mild curry as two private detectives ate nervously at a neighbouring table.

But the following night, reveller at the White Lion were astonished as the 25-year-old calmly walked into the pub, where he stayed until the early hours. This was only minutes after he had popped his head round the door of the nearby King's Head - apparently grinning from ear to ear - but not stopping for a drink.

But then - on a separate foray another night - he must have been determined to get back to his Royal roots, for he turned up at the Stilton Cheese Inn, in the nearby village of Somerby. This is close to where Edward V111 first met Wallis Simpson.

Not one of the publicans would talk about his visit, or what he ordered for drinks. But one clue could have come from the Apurba - the Indian restaurant first visited by the Prince. His drinks there were lemonade and water.

Melton Mowbray, incidentally, was the birthplace of the saying - "Painting the Town Red" - when revellers, led by the Marquis of Waterford, ran amok daubing red paint and throwing pub signs into the town's canal.