Prince Charles spent his 64th birthday eating cake in the land of dwarves, hobbits and goblins. And then head-butted a few of the locals for good measure.
Ok, so that's not strictly true. His Royal Highness and the Duchess of Cornwall were in New Zealand on the last leg of their Diamond Jubilee tour in New Zealand.
The Royal couple were greeted at the Weta workshop film prop studio by The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson, who gave them a guided tour.
'You remind me a little bit of this British chap, Nicholas Witchell' (Add your caption suggestions in the comments below)
A dwarf from the movie, played by actor Mark Hadlow, offered his sword and service to the royal, much to his amazement.
When the Prince came across the diminutive creature during his tour of a movie special effects company, the dwarf dropped to one knee and said in a booming voice he had been released by Jackson "for you to command as you see fit, your servant Dori".
Charles laughed and said: "This is the best birthday present I've had for a long time."
'Those dwarves may be little but they are hung like this!'
An official birthday party was held at Government House in Wellington where the Prince was presented with 64 cakes to the tune of, rather predictably, the Beatles', When I'm 64.
A bemused looking Prince grudgingly acknowledged the song choice before getting into the swing of things and having a little dance.
'Did that pap just call me a modernity-hating egg-chomper?'
He was also greeted with numerous hongis, a traditional Maori greeting that involves touching foreheads and rubbing noses.
