Ten years after describing a shabby-looking fuse box as something that appeared to have been "put in by an Indian", Prince Philip applauded as an Indian engineer, who happened to be a former president, was presented with one of Britain's top engineering awards.

Former Indian president A P J Abdul Kalam, who is on a lecture tour of Britain and Ireland, was presented the 2008 International Medal of the Royal Academy of Engineering at a gala dinner in London Tuesday night.