Stan Pajak had the chance to spend most of the day with Prince Philip when he came to Swindon in early 2003.

The Duke of Edinburgh came to the town to open New College, to make the official opening of Great Western Hospital and set off the town’s Jubilee Clock.

The latter was originally placed in the town centre but has since been moved to the railway station’s forecourt.

Coun Pajak – who still leads the town's Lib Dem group – said: “As I was Mayor of Swindon I got to accompany Prince Philip, and we had lunch together at New College.

“I was quite nervous because if you think of Royals, you don’t really know what they’re like – but he turned out to be much more down-to-earth than I had expected.

“He was very charming and was very witty – he had a great sense of humour. It was noticeable at the lunch that he was comfortable with everybody whatever their background.”

Coun Pajak said the independent streak that characterised the duke was evident on his visit.

He said: “As we travelled from one opening to another we had a police motorcycle outrider and he seemed to really enjoy that, going at speed through the town and the town centre.

“But he drove himself home in a Range Rover after the visit was over. He wasn’t chauffeur-driven – he said he enjoyed driving so did it himself.

“I really enjoyed being in his company.”