Britain's Duke of Edinburgh disappointed onlookers by spending just three minutes unveiling a new road sign on Monday. Prince Philip arrived at the Rotary Club of Windsor event - which is just a five minute drive from Windsor Castle - without saying a word.

He left his chauffeur-driven car and approached the new sign, before removing the white cloth and promptly returning to the vehicle.

The duke has been a senior honorary member of the Windsor Rotary Club for 50 years.

Many of the royal fans who had turned out to catch a glimpse of Philip were left disappointed by his brief appearance.

One said: "We were waiting here for ages and hoped to speak to the duke. I was surprised that he left as soon as he had unveiled the new sign."

Spokesman for the club, David Shaw, insisted: "It was an honor for him to unveil the sign."

The club have spent US $17,618.65 on six cast iron signs welcoming guests to Windsor, to celebrate the Rotary Club's centenary.

This isn't the first time an unveiling ceremony by Britain's royal family has sparked controversy. In 1960, Prince Margaret was left red-faced after she tried to unveil a statue dedicated to St Boniface in Devon, England, but the curtain refused to fall.

In the 80s, Princess Michael of Kent was criticized for opening a Happy Eater restaurant, after saying she would "go anywhere for a hot meal".

Queen Elizabeth faced rows of empty seats in 1994 when Barbadian politicians boycotted the opening of a tourism training centre.