When Dame Edna met the prince!!

Nice to see you, possum

For Dame Edna Everage, meeting Prince William was a chance to spend at least a few moments with a young man of some considerable personal charm.

She had, after all, had to devote the best part of her evening to the garrulous X-Factor reject Chico Slimani.

Dame Edna appeared almost relieved as she met William backstage after the Prince's Trust Live concert on Saturday. "Hello sir, darling. I'm on a blind date you know," she said.

Prince Charming: Dame Edna meets Prince William. She confided she was on a blind date with former X-Factor contestant Chico

"So whose the lucky man?" he asked. "That fellow there... Chico," said Dame Edna and gestured - not altogether elegantly - towards the singer standing a little further down the line.

Chico, a runner-up in the talent show the X-Factor earlier this year, won Dame Edna's company in a charity version of TV's Blind Date earlier in the evening.

Raising an eyebrow, the prince laughed: "Well, in that case, good luck."

William, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry met Dame Edna during the traditional post-concert line-up.

The royals and a crowd of 2,000 had been entertained by stars including Ozzy Osbourne, Will Young and Pink.

The televised concert in the grounds of the Tower of London marked the 30th anniversary of Prince Charles's charity. Last night, it was estimated it had raised £3million.

Also in the line-up was former Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton - and with a solo career to launch she was determined to make the most of the limelight.

Prince William, 23, greeted her politely with a kiss on each cheek. But Miss Hamilton grabbed him and planted a kiss straight on the royal lips. William could barely hide his blushes.

The last word, however, went to Chico. He slapped 21-year-old Harry on the back and said: "I like your spirit, man. Stay beautiful." The prince bowed his head in despair and made a hurried exit.