There was no birthday cake, but the King politely admired a selection of pre-prepared meals, including cottage pie and macaroni cheese, asking whether the pasta came from Italy, and expressing a personal likeness for a “very good” tomato and basil sauce.
“It must be quite difficult to plan because you don’t quite know when you will have a large surplus,” he said.
“I’m most grateful to you for taking an interest, it makes a huge difference.”
The King said that “hope” was the key as he revealed that he aimed to save a further 4.5 million tons of surplus food that currently goes to waste.
While it was clearly a low-key celebration, he looked secretly delighted to be serenaded with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday by children from Rye Oak Primary School in nearby Peckham.
The King was also presented with a handmade birthday card by Zariah, a six-year-old pupil, bending down to shake the little girl’s hand.