Queen's belly rub for 'attention-seeking' guide dog

The Queen made friends with an "attention-seeking" guide dog during the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the season.

No sooner had Queen Camilla rubbed Jeanette Binns' labrador Haworth under his chin, then the dog made those nearby laugh by rolling on to his back so she could tickle his belly.

The Queen described the dog as "lovely" and said: "Well I'm very honoured to meet him."

Ms Binns, from Preston, Lancashire, said "he did pile it on a bit" by asking for a belly rub.

Ms Binns, an equalities officer who works for Lancashire County Council, added: "He knows how to impress.

"I've always said he's an attention-seeker, he's gone up a notch with this."

The King and Queen hosted about 8,000 guests in the palace's garden as community stalwarts, charity workers and leading figures enjoyed afternoon tea on the lawns.

During a typical summer gathering about 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed by those invited, who can wear their national dress, or lounge suits for men and summer dresses for women.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also part of the royal party as were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who all spent time meeting guests.

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