The King has praised David Hockney's "galoshes" and revealed he cannot wait for the artist's next project as the pair met at a Buckingham Palace lunch.
The event to celebrate leading figures from the world of politics, science and the arts was hosted by the King, after a service at the Chapel Royal.
Members of the prestigious Order of Merit - including an array of pioneers from broadcaster Sir David Attenborough to world wide web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee - watched on as six new members were formally appointed.
