King joined by the Beckhams as Highgrove becomes Italian restaurant for the night

David and Victoria Beckham were surprise guests at the King’s black tie dinner to celebrate Anglo-Italian relations and the benefits of “slow” food and fashion.

The Beckhams dined at Highgrove, the monarch’s Gloucestershire home, on Friday evening alongside Donatella Versace, the Italian fashion designer, and Helen Mirren, the Oscar-winning actress.

Beckham, the former England footballer, was last year announced as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, the charity that runs Highgrove.

He and his wife, a former Spice Girl turned fashion designer, also own an estate nearby in the Cotswolds which they have renovated with touches often seen in rustic Italian villas.

The couple has had ties to Italy since David Beckham was first loaned to AC Milan, and they are known to regularly holiday there and attend fashion shows.

Stanley Tucci, the Italian-American actor, was also among the 80 guests gathered for the unique meal designed to champion both the importance of homegrown, seasonal British produce and authentic Italian flavours.