Second World War veteran Arthur Staggs yesterday said he was humbled and honoured to meet royalty in his home town.

The 99-year-old former member of the Army Intelligence Corps chatted to Camilla, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, on her visit to Thame.

He said: “It’s an honour for my family. She was asking all about my medals and where I was from.”

The town became a sea of Union Flags as hundreds of residents and schoolchildren turned out to catch a glimpse of the Duchess.

The Duchess visited the town to watch as forces personnel from nearby RAF Halton, where she is Honorary Air Commodore, were given the freedom of the town.

Addressing the crowds, she said: “It is a proud moment in any RAF Station’s history to receive the Freedom of Entry.

“I would like to thank everyone who has gone to such lengths to make today so successful and I am sure that this ceremony marks the start of a close and enduring relationship between you both.”

Children from local primary schools waved flags and cheered as the Duchess spent more than half an hour walking and talking to people in the crowds.

Five-year-old Sophie Bryant from the town’s Barley Hill Primary School handed some letters to the Duchess which she had written herself.

She said: “It was really good. She told me she would read them in the car.”

Teacher Karen Braund said: “It was so lovely for the children, we brought them all out today. I didn’t even know Sophie had the letters in her pocket.”

Joan Sweby, 65, from Thame, said: “It’s wonderful, the day is something nice for the whole town.”

The Duchess inspected the parade, before being presented with the Freedom of Thame scroll on behalf of the base. The troops then marched through the town centre, accompanied by the RAF Central Band.

She then met veterans and joined a reception of more than 100 service personnel.

Four-year-old Evie Hardcastle met the Duchess with her nanny Jess Macivor.

Miss Macivor said: “She told Evie she wished she’d had a nice warm jacket like her.”

Val Thomas, 62, also from Thame, added: “It’s been lovely, a really nice day. It’s a really special occasion for Thame.”

Thame mayor David Bretherton said: “It has been an absolutely brilliant day. The people have loved the parade, they loved the Duchess and it all worked really well.”