'I annoyed Queen Elizabeth II's family and caused uproar at Buckingham Palace'

A journalist has today told how he annoyed Prince Philip when he unwittingly "ruined" Queen Elizabeth II's birthday surprise.

Richard Kay was unaware the monarch did not yet know about designs for her 70th birthday, and so his story was published in his newspaper. It caused "uproar at Buckingham Palace" as royals, including Prince Edward and Prince Philip, had prepared a boat trip along the River Thames to the famous Waterside Inn at Bray, Berkshire, for the Queen to enjoy a meal.

"I was accused of spoiling a surprise party, and told that the Queen, because of the very nature of her role, got very few unexpected treats and I had ruined one... There was uproar at Buckingham Palace," Mr Kay wrote.

When the journalist later reported on one of Her Majesty's overseas tours, during which she hosted a garden party, Prince Philip spotted him talking to a group of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. Philip, it is understood, then told them off for talking to "that bloody man".

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Mr Kay, who recalls the "boat episode" in today's edition of the Daily Mail, was quietly asked to avoid the Queen at the garden party as she was still upset about the story. She rarely had surprises for her birthday due to the nature of her role and so, in 1996, her family had hoped to pull out all the stops for her big day.

But when royal reporter Mr Kay became aware of the plans, he prepared a story for the Daily Mail as protocol for his role. He was not conscious Her Majesty did not yet know anything of the treats. Both Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson were accused of leaking the story to Mr Kay - but he insists they were blameless.

Queen Elizabeth II would usually head to the luxurious Ritz Hotel in the heart of London for supper on her birthday. Surprises like the one Philip and Edward had planned were rare due to the nature of the monarch's work.

The monarch had two birthdays - an official one in June as well as her own in April - as was the famous historic tradition. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926, to The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and The Queen Mother) and while she never expected to come to the throne, she has carried on one of the monarch's most famous annual celebrations.

The tradition dates all the way back to King George II in 1748, who combined the annual Trooping the Colour with his birthday celebrations, even though he was born in November.