Close-protection officers ushering King Charles III away from the crowd after an egg was thrown towards hiim
(Picture: PA)A man has been arrested after an egg was allegedly thrown in the direction of King Charles in Luton.
The man in his 20s was held on suspicion of common assault following the incident during a walkabout by the King in the town centre on Tuesday.
Bedfordshire Police said the suspect is currently in custody for questioning after being arrested in St George's Square.
Charles had been temporarily steered away from the crowds outside Luton Town Hall by his security staff shortly after arriving.
He then resumed shaking hands with members of the public after being moved to a different area.
It comes less than a month after Charles, 74, was pelted with four eggs in York by a protester shouting “this country was built on the blood of slaves”.
Charles was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, and the mayor of Luton, Councillor Sameera Saleem, on arrival at the town hall in Luton before meeting local groups and members of the public.
The King looked relaxed as he met members of the public during his visit to Luton.
Charles chatted to dozens of people at the Town Hall and the newly built Guru Nanak Gurdwara.
The King, who had a plaster on his left thumb, removed his shoes and put on a Ramaal headscarf in the Sikh temple, where he made a namaste gesture as he greeted people.
He bowed in front of the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, and sat cross-legged on the floor, wearing an orange scarf over his suit, before being invited to unveil a plaque to mark the official opening of the Gurdwara.
The plaque included Tuesday's date, and Charles joked that it was a good job he "turned up on the right day".
During his visit to the Gurdwara he met women in the kitchen who cook for hundreds of people every day, and marvelled at their work with dough.
"Isn't it wonderful how they inflate?" he said, asking if there is a "secret" to the method.
Earlier, many of those who greeted Charles at the Town Hall wished him a "Merry Christmas" and some had taken presents to give to him.
The King was greeted by Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada and Mayor of Luton Sameera Saleem.
He met representatives from Luton Council as well as guests from a range of community organisations, including Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye, who was previously supported by the Prince's Trust.
Charles signed a visitors' book and unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit in the Town Hall, which was opened by the Duke of Kent in 1936.
He was also give Luton-made honey by council chief executive Robin Porter.
Charles has made several previous visits to the town, including in 1985 when he opened a new terminal at Luton Airport.
Before leaving for his next engagement, he met children from St Matthew's Primary School.
The King visited the Luton Dart Parkway Station, learning about the new cable-drawn mass passenger transit system, which will connect the rail station to London Luton Airport.
He was shown the control room before boarding the Dart for a three-minute trip, accompanied by staff from the construction and transport system contractors.
