Prince Albert of Monaco dines in San Carlo in Cheshire's Golden Triangle

Alderley Edge is known as the home of "Manc royalty" with footballers, soap stars and millionaires all based there. But the Cheshire village enjoyed a visit from real-life royalty on Friday.

For Prince Albert of Monaco was a surprise guest to the wealthy village in Cheshire's Golden Triangle, popping for lunch at celeb haunt Italian restaurant San Carlo.

The ruler was pictured in a smart suit beaming with San Carlo's managers at the London Road restaurant in a photo shared on social media.

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The glitzy restaurant opened in Alderley Edge after a £3m transformation last year. Since then it's welcomed plenty of the area's most famous residents, including former Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen.

It's not known why the Prince was visiting the Cheshire area this week. Although he's known to be a keen football fan. and has surprised Manchester City fans appearing at some of their previous games.

However the Blues don't play at home this weekend, instead playing their FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea at Wembley this afternoon.

The Prince is also pals with Manchester United's new minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, who is also a tax resident of Monaco.

But United also don't play at home this weekend, their next fixture at Old Trafford coming on Wednesday, April 24.

The Prince, son of Prince Rainier III and movie star Grace Kelly, has ruled the Principality of Monaco since 2005.