16 JUNE 2005

Egypt's legendary pharaoh Tutankhamun got a Hollywood welcome from Jennifer Love Hewitt when he paid a visit to Los Angeles this week. But the actress, who turned out for the opening of a new exhibition devoted to the boy king, seemed a little nervous when she came face to face with a camel that had also come along to join in the fun.

She soon found out the creature was perfectly amicable, however, and before long they were getting on just fine. The 26-year-old was among a series of celebs who rolled up to the Los Angeles County Art Museum to see a collection of precious artefacts and curiosities from the ancient ruler's tomb.

Charlie's Angels star Drew Barrymore put in a slinky appearance in a burgundy satin creation, while Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver was looking equally radiant when she arrived with daughters Katherine and Christina. Also in attendance was statuesque actor Brendan Fraser, who presumably already knows a thing or two about the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut was buried, thanks to his starring role in The Mummy.

In historical terms Tutankhamun was actually one of ancient Egypt's least significant rulers, but he has always held a unique allure for the public. This is largely due to the legendary curse which is credited with killing several members of the team who opened his tomb in 1923.