It was a rare display of genuine Royal affection. On a tour of Romania yesterday, the Prince of Wales spotted the son of a close friend, wrapped his arms around and gave him the biggest of hugs. Prince Charles beamed with joy. So too did the 11-year-old boy.

The child is Valentin Blacker, the son of an old Etonian and whose mother is a Romanian gipsy. William Blacker, 54, told The Telegraph yesterday that his son, who lives in a remote village in Transylvania, is not put off by Royal protocol in the way that children brought up in the UK might be.

“Valentin is not inhibited by the formalities that a British boy in awe of the Royal family would have,” said Mr Blacker, “Theirs is a very touching relationship.”

The heir to the throne was on an official visit to Bucharest’s Old Town, as part of a nine-day tour of Europe, when he spotted Valentin among the invited guests. “It’s not the first time he’s hugged me,” explained the youngster afterwards.