The Royals are a hardy breed. Never mind a near-Biblical Deluge that threatened life and limb and centred on Gloucestershire and Highgrove, the show went on with just a few hiccups.

In the event, the Duchess of Cornwall’s 60th birthday, black-tie dinner party for 200 was moved indoors out of the raging torrents.

Zara Phillips and craggy Mike Tindall arriving at Highgrove

On Friday, the celebrations had seemed in some doubt with road and rail access blocked. Camilla had hoped the party — organized by Michael Fawcett, and Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot — would feature a three-course organic dinner in the open air. But that was replaced by champagne and cocktails in the gardens, with the meal moved indoors.

Prince William was present but there was no sign of Kate Middleton, who was smuggled into Highgrove for the evening.

Also invited were Dame Judi Dench, David Frost, Prunella Scales, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Lord Puttnam. Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker-Bowles attended with their children Tom and Laura.

As for presents, Prince Charles had commissioned a dazzling piece of jewellery from diamond specialist and newly-appointed Crown Jeweller, Harry Collins of G. Collins and Sons of Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

He had saved the best for last as, on Monday — Camilla’s actual birthday — he had given her two sheep (one pictured) and some potted plants for her garden.

I’m sure the Duchess would have been satisfied with that.

Prince William has invited Camilla al Fayed (pictured), daughter of Mohamed and half-sister to Dodi, to attend the service for Princess Diana on August 31st.

William hopes it will be a gesture of reconciliation to the Al Fayed family, who lost a son in the Paris car accident ten years ago.

A Royal source said, “They [the Princes] lost a mother in very tragic circumstances but Camilla also lost a much-loved brother. Obviously it would have been impossible to invite Mohamed but they thought it appropriate that someone from his family was invited and, as they have met Camilla in the past, the invitation was extended to her.

“They are delighted that she has accepted. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the past is gone and forgotten but William and Harry want to acknowledge their shared grief.”

From the picture, though, it’s easy to see why she was invited.

The Queen and Prince Philip will attend the service, together with the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and members of Diana’s family.

Highgrove is braced for an almost Biblical Deluge over the next 24 hours, just in time for Camilla’s 60th birthday party tomorrow evening.

The forecast is warning of two month’s rainfall in 24 hours for southern England — that’s 4 inches emptying onto already sodden ground. The Cotwolds in Gloucestershire, where Highgrove is located, has been particularly singled out for flood warnings. The roads “will be a nightmare” says the Met Office.

It seems we are getting masses of wet air from France where the heat is lifting moisture from the soggy countryside. Either that, or it’s Diana’s revenge.

Grave flood warnings are in place for the whole of southern England and the Midlands, where flood will be piled on flood. Pity those poor blighters around the Severn Estuary and River, and further east to Hull and up to York.

Most of us are starting to batten down the hatches for The Deluge, and an indoor weekend. Already the swallows are flying at rooftop level signifying low pressure.

It might be wise to re-schedule the party, methinks.

Update: The BBC is reporting that hundreds are stranded at Gloucester railway station and many rail lines are flooded.

It is now clear that Kate Middleton has been invited to the Duchess of Cornwall’s 60th birthday party, in what has been called her first date with Prince William after their recent reconciliation.

The invitation to Saturday night’s Highgrove celebration has come from William himself and is said to indicate that their rekindled relationship is going from strength to strength.

Kate is currently holidaying with friends in the Caribbean but she is quoted as saying she is hoping to be back in time.

The usual “Royal source” comments, “Camilla was keen to invite Kate as the two have always got on well but for obvious reasons it had to be William’s decision in the end”.

Prince Harry and long-term girlfriend Chelsy Davy will not be present, though. Neither will the Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family. “It’s just not a party on that scale,” a Clarence House spokesman said.

The Duchess of Cornwall is also expected to attend the service of remembrance for Princess Diana at the Guard’s Chapel on August 31, reportedly at the insistence of the Prince of Wales.