King Charles was the victim of an unfortunate incident this afternoon, after a seagull defecated on his jacket mid royal engagement. The 77-year-old monarch was leaving a food bank project in Newcastle, County Down, in Northern Ireland when the bird mess fell from the sky, leaving a noticeable white smear on the back of his suit.

But the King found the incident amusing, and refused to put an overcoat on after a royal aide discreetly pointed out the mess. Smiling, he waved the offer off and carried on with greeting the cheering crowds as they had been waiting for so long.

When one member of the public politely asked him whether he knew he had bird dropping on his jacket, the King laughed and said: "No, it’s fine. At least it didn't land on my head!"