Prince William stepped into his father’s shoes with great success when circumstances propelled him into the role of host at a Highgrove gala. He even made his first public speech, to an audience of 200 guests, among them Camilla Parker Bowles and Claudia Schiffer.

The young Prince took on hosting duties only hours before the party was due to begin, when Prince Charles was taken to hospital following a tumble during a charity polo tournament. Though aides suspected the event might have to be cancelled, Charles merely faxed a speech to William and ordered the show to go on.

By all accounts, both William and his brother Harry mingled easily with the guests, many of them celebrities, who had come to help their father celebrate the installation of his new Islamic-style garden, inspired by the gardens at the Alhambra palace in Granada and designed by the Spanish ceramics firm Porcelanosa.

For the full story and pictures of Prince William and brother Harry with the celebrity guests at the Highgrove gala, see this week's HELLO!, on sale now.