Newcastle Evening Chronicle photographer Nigel Dobson has been given the royal seal of approval.

His worked has wowed the royal household at Clarence House and is being used on the front cover of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall annual review.

The regional press lensman captured an image of the Prince and Camilla when they visited the North East last November.

Soon after the trip he got a request for a copy of the picture from the Prince’s office.

The photograph proved such a favourite that Nigel then got another call – to tell him it had been selected as the sole picture for the front cover of the 2007 Annual Review.

It shows Charles and Camilla as they visited Stocksfield Avenue Primary School in Fenham, where they were surrounded by schoolchildren waving Union Flags.

Evening Chronicle picture editor Rod Wilson said he was pleased that Nigel’s picture had been chosen.

He said: “It is entirely justified. It is one of the nicest pictures I have ever seen of Charles and Camilla and they look so happy.

“The pressure is off and they are enjoying the visit – it works very well.

“It is simple and they are perfectly framed by the flowers and flags.

“It is great for Nigel.”

The picture can be seen as it appears in the review by clicking here.

The Annual Review is a summary of the royal couple’s work from April 1st 2006 to March 31st 2007.

The income, expenditure and staff section details how the Prince and Duchess’s work, activities and office are funded and outlines the responsibilities of senior staff.