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.

It was a splendid concert by any standards. At times the atmosphere was electric, despite the seating arrangements which limited numbers in the centre of the arena.

Of the two Princes, William looked trim and on form after his night at Clarence House with Kate Middleton. Harry, though, seemed awkward and subdued for once, and he had clearly put on weight. This could be explained by the news that he’s giving up smoking — again. At times he looked to be gasping for a fag. Maybe he could have done with a Mahiki menu too.

The smoking ban — it’s now prohibited in enclosed public places across the country — caused more problems in the dressing rooms. Lily Allen was said to have walked out at 6pm when told to stop lighting up. Such temperament! Could it have contributed to the missing finale?

There was also a hitch at the end when the planned mass finale of all the artistes was called off because of “technical difficulties”. Elton John did a few numbers, after a lacklustre “comedy” routine by Ricky Gervais of The Office. Then the whole event petered out with a video of Nelson Mandela saying nothing particularly new.

Nevertheless, there were seven hours of excellent entertainment before the anticlimax, with cheery Fearne Cotton brightening up the interludes of the BBC transmission with interviews and to-camera improvisations.

I spotted Mike Tindall rocking along with Zara Philips in one arm and an unknown female in the other. Diana’s sister, Sarah, and brother Charles were also singing along heartily to the older numbers.

All in all an impressive day considering the whole nation was on massive terrorist alert.

Well done William and Harry.

As if the Prince William — Kate Middleton shock breakup was not enough, there are now reports that the “secret” engagement between Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall has been put on hold.

We are hearing that the culprit in this case is eerily similar to Kate’s complaint : It was his daddy wot done it!

It seems that Zara’s “daddy”, Mark Phillips, has his doubts about the burly rugger man and England International. And Zara has been listening to her daddy.

Any wedding would not have occurred until after the Beijing Olympic Games next year, but Mark wants his once-headstrong daughter to concentrate all her energies on the event and not on the prospect of conjugal bliss. He sounds like every trainer of every sportsperson since time began.

However, Zara’s mother, Princess Anne, is said to adore Mike, and he in turn regards Zara as the love of his life. Already entwined together in a house at Gatcombe Park, Anne’s country residence, he believed the marriage was virtually inevitable.

Like Kate, he didn’t reckon with “daddy”, though.

What will happen next? Better ask the old man.

Katie Nicholl in the Mail on Sunday breaks the news that Zara Phillips is secretly engaged to England rugby cap, Mike Tindall.

Zara, 25, has apparently only told her closest friends and hopes to keep the decision quiet until the official announcement is made in August.

Katie’s “mole” is quoted as saying, “Zara and Mike are planning to make the engagement official in August, after consulting Palace seniors on suitable dates to make the announcement. Even though they are a very down-to-earth couple and keep themselves to themselves, they still have to follow Royal protocol. It’s not like they can just announce the engagement when they feel like it.

“They have already started planning the wedding. Zara wants to wait until after the Olympics in 2008 so she can focus on winning gold for Britain.

“There’s a lot Zara still wants to achieve but she has even told Mike she’s prepared to give up eventing once they are married. She’s aware how dangerous the sport is and that having a family brings new commitments.”

A gold medal to Zara for her handling of a tricky situation, particularly between two dedicated sportspersons with busy lives to organize.

Now why don’t Prince William and Kate Middleton regularize their relationship in this way?