TALK OF THE TOWN: Cast off... the fly-fishermen forced to give up river spot for the King

The King tracked down a group of fly-fishermen at their lodgings to apologise after they were booted off a river in Scotland so that he could cast his rod in peace.

I hear a party of insurance brokers on a £4,000 per person fishing trip near the Castle of Mey were left 'jolly put out' when they were asked to relinquish the best bit of the Thurso river for His Majesty.

I am informed the mix-up arose from a double booking on a particular section of the river, which led to the financiers being ushered off in time for the King's arrival.

Sources say the King was thoroughly unaware of the situation and was said to be mortified when he found out.

He made amends the following day, I'm told, with an impromptu tea-time visit, where he offered his sincerest apologies.

One member of the fishing party tells me: 'We were all jolly put out when we were told to relocate immediately. I'm sure I was just on the verge of catching a salmon.

'Still, we were awfully cheered up when the King arrived at our lodgings the following day.

'He was so apologetic and charming – he would have made a good insurance broker. If I had to toss up between catching that salmon and meeting the King, it would be the latter any day.'

Another source, a member of the esteemed Flyfishers' Club, of which the King is a popular patron, tells me they are big fans of Charles due to his support of the environment.

'We can certainly forgive some rod-shuffling for all he's done to save our rivers,' said the source.

A Palace spokesman declined to comment.