Tenor Joseph Calleja performed a short recital to mark Diabetes UK’s 80th anniversary at St James’s Palace in London on Tuesday.

After the performance, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers – whose daughter Mischa, 19, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of seven – asked to meet Mr Calleja.

During the performance, Mr Calleja passed a few football-related remarks and said his pianist would not play the whole session unless he met Mr Rodgers.

Mr Calleja also had a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II, who attended the pre-dinner reception. The Queen is a patron of the charity.

Mr Rodgers said the Queen’s support showed the seriousness of diabetes, and added: “My role is to support, firstly Mischa. And she has been incredible as a young lady being diagnosed. And then to be able to support the charity is a great honour, and it is a complete honour and privilege to be here.”

Mr Calleja passed a few football-related remarks

In a separate event, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Preca, currently on a visit to the UK, met the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The Department of Information gave no more details.