Prince Charles celebrates a star-studded 60th birthday bash

THE DUST was settling on Highgrove today after a star-studded 60th birthday party for the Prince of Wales.

Family and friends of the heir to the throne joined him at his Gloucestershire estate last night for an evening of entertainment hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall.

It was Charles' third big birthday celebration in four days.

Rocker Rod Stewart was the after-dinner entertainment, with other guests including comedian Rowan Atkinson and actress Dame Judi Dench.

Click here to see pictures of Prince Charles' celebrity guests

Atkinson was among the first of the guests to arrive for the party at around 7.20pm with his wife in a Rolls-Royce.

Comics Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal, better known as the Kumars At No 42, arrived together in a rather more under-stated Peugeot.

The couple were also on the entertainment bill as Charles is said to be a fan of their show.

Chat show host and gardener Alan Titchmarsh was also among the guests along with Sir David Frost, Sir Winston Churchill's grandson Nicholas Soames, MP, and Joanna Lumley.

Camilla's former husband Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles arrived shortly before 8pm.

A coach party of guests were also ferried into the estate near Tetbury, along with Cotswold country set friends of Charles and Camilla.

Princes William and Harry are thought to have stayed overnight at Highgrove and their girlfriends Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy were also thought to have made an appearance.

Late arrivals included Lord and Lady Rothschild, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and society-girl Tara Palmer-Tompkinson, shortly after 8.15pm.

The Queen hosted a glittering dinner party and concert at Buckingham Palace in honour of her son on Thursday.

The previous day British comedy stars John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson and Bill Bailey lined up alongside veteran US stand-up Robin Williams to entertain the Prince during a comedy gala staged in south London.

Click here to see pictures of Prince Charles' celebrity guests