Royal knees-up for king of the road Ray

The Queen seen at the garden party on Tuesday

MARATHON king Ray Matthews rubbed shoulders with royalty this week after receiving a special invitation to the Queen’s Garden Party.

Every summer, Her Majesty hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace to recognise and reward public service.

Maltby man Ray (77) attended The Queen's first bash of the summer with wife Maureen (seen below) on Tuesday in recognition of his fundraising efforts for Newman School and described it as “one of the most amazing days of my life”.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also chatted to the special guests, who enjoyed sandwiches and cakes in the palace grounds.

Grandfather-of-three Ray said it was a “huge honour” to be invited.

“As we walked through the state rooms at the palace the hair on my arms started to stand on end!” he said.

“I wasn’t nervous. Maureen was, I was more excited — it’s not something you do everyday.”

In 2016, Ray ran 75 marathons in 75 days to raise more than £35,000 for a specialist playground and woodland trail at the special school.