In the opulent Great Steward of Scotland Dining Room at Dumfries House, the Prince of Wales hosted a black-tie dinner and reception with Americans he'd encouraged to turn around the fortunes of a run-down part of Jamaica.
George W. Bush's daughter, Jenna Bush-Hager, TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh and Dame Sue Bruce, chairman of the board of trustees of The Prince's Foundation, were among the guests at the Ayrshire Royal estate last Wednesday evening with The Duchess of Cornwall not able to make the gathering after her flight from Heathrow was delayed.
Less than 24 hours after this dinner, Charles would become King after the Queen's passing on Thursday afternoon.
Writing for The Sunday Telegraph, Alan Titchmarsh detailed his last day with the Duke of Rothesay in Cumnock before he would ascend the throne.
Titchmarsh said in The Sunday Telegraph: "I was there to catch up on the developments at Dumfries House over the last few years since our new King rescued the place and its unique collection of Chippendale furniture, mortgaging his foundation to the tune of £11 million in doing so.
"Spotting him [the Prince of Wales] across the lawn as I began my tour, I leapt out of the Land Rover to say hello.
"The welcome was joyful and enthusiastic. 'Is your wife here?' 'No; I'm on my own.'
"'But you're staying for dinner?' 'Yes!' 'Lovely. I'll see you later.'
"And after gently teasing each other about this and that as friends do, we went our various ways.
"I explored the estate and noticed the astonishing speed of developments in the buildings and the gardens. I met just some of the 12,000 people – from schoolchildren to mature adults – who benefit from courses here each year in everything from textiles to masonry, water engineering to carpentry, landscape sustainability to health and well-being.
"I met gardeners and estate workers who love the place. The locals adore him. He has turned around the fortunes of this struggling part of East Ayrshire, given the residents pride in their community and increased the number of visitors who have benefited the local economy."
Later that day, the Prince of Wales then went off to meetings, one of which was a global symposium on allergies.
At the soiree that evening, there were no speeches just "good food, good company and wide-ranging conversation," Titchmarsh says.
The Prince wore the kilt that belonged to his grandfather, King George VI with his expression varying from "intense conversation and unrestrained laughter".
According to Titchmarsh, the cohort feasted on locally-grown food, accompanied by fine wine.
Coffee afterwards took place in a tapestry-lined gallery while a pair of musicians played jaunty tunes on the guitar and penny whistle.
Titchmarsh continued: "The recital was short, the applause genuine, and after making his way around the room, shaking hands with almost everyone there, smiling, thanking them for coming and encouraging them in their endeavours, the Prince headed for the exit.
"Because I stood by the door, he shook my hand last of all and said: 'Come and see us soon for tea.'
"I thanked him and he left the room as Duke of Rothesay, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and assorted other titles, unaware that he was doing so for the very last time. He was happy; it had been a good day."
After leaving the confines of the Ayrshire estate, Charles headed to Balmoral to be at the Queen's bedside in her final moments along with Princess Anne.
Since the Queen's passing, many floral tributes have been left at Dumfries House, with the flag also at half-mast.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
