Prince Philip cooks barbecue for John Key

Britain’s Prince Philip cooked a barbecue for New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

The 92-year-old royal – who made his first public appearance last month after taking two months out of the limelight following an 11-day spell in hospital in June – confirmed he is well and truly on the mend following abdominal surgery by putting his cooking skills to the test.

Philip took control of the barbecue as he and Queen Elizabeth entertained several guests and their family at the royal pair’s Scottish retreat of Balmoral, and Key and his wife Bronagh were delighted with the royal couple’s hospitality.

He said: ”They were extremely generous hosts.

”We were invited in as guests in their private family time.

”They all pitched in. We helped lay the table. It must be the only bit of informality they really have in their lives – it’s definitely an informal gathering.”

Prince William and Duchess Catherine also helped the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh entertain their guests.

William took Key’s son Max on a grouse shoot, and Catherine – who was known as Kate Middleton prior to her nuptials – went for a walk in the woods with the politician’s daughter Stephanie.