LOCAL undertaker John Gilfillan had a special date with His Majesty at Buckingham Palace.

He was down in London and one of the guests at the King’s Reception for Small Businesses in the UK.

The owner of John Gilfillan Funeral Directors, with branches in Lochgelly and Cardenden, told the Times it was an amazing experience.

He said: “It was a relatively informal occasion, with the King surrounded by people from the small business sector in every part of the country.

“It wasn’t easy for him to meet everyone, but a number of other Royals were there and I was able to spend some time with Prince Edward.”

More than 100 people were invited to the reception, held to recognise the valuable contribution of small and medium sized businesses to the UK economy.

John also met with the UK Government minister for business, energy and industrial strategy, Grant Shapps.

He spent three days in London, with wife Norma, and was able to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.