The Prince of Wales presented honours at the royal investiture at St James's Palace on Thursday. But he confused EastEnders for rival soap Coronation Street as he gave actor Rudolph Walker his award.

       Mr Walker, who plays Queen Vic stalwart Patrick Trueman, revealed Charles had briefly mixed up the soaps.

       But he said the royal apologised immediately and that it had all been "very lighthearted".

       Mr Walker, who was made a CBE for services to drama and charity, said: "He was interested in the show, he knew that I had been in it for a long time and that, here I am at the ripe young age of 81, going on to 82, still doing it and still enjoying it.

       "It was very relaxing, he made us feel extremely relaxed and he was interested in the fact that I am still plodding on.

       "He spoke about Coronation Street and I said 'no no, you're talking about the opposition.' Let's talk about EastEnders.

       "He just laughed and said 'I do understand, I do apologise' but it was done very light-heartedly."

       Mr Walker said that he had extended the offer of a drink in the Queen Vic to Charles.

       "He visited Coronation Street some time ago apparently and I said 'well the invitation is there for your royal highness to visit EastEnders'.

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       "You never know."

       Mr Walker added that he had not "in my wildest dreams" imagined he would receive the honour.

       He said: "My message to all the youngsters is if I can do it, so can they.

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       "Things are tough but everything is achievable.

       "Who would have thought that when I set sail for the shores of the UK in 1960 that I'd be at St James's Palace receiving an award.

       "Not in my wildest dreams.

       "It sends a message to the people in the UK but also young people in the Caribbean.

       "But there is still a long way to go."

       The scaled-down ceremony was the second royal investiture since the first national lockdown.