On Wednesday, London Farmers’ Markets celebrated its 20th anniversary with a visit from The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market.
Before visiting the stalls, the royal couple watched a performance by Young Music Makers. They were also surprised with a “flash mob” of Oliver, performed by the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
During the visit, the Duchess had a very interesting conversation with Sophia Lysaczenko, who works on a hemp co-operative in south Oxfordshire, about the benefits of CBD oil, also known as cannabidoil. It’s believed that the cannabis derivative can assist with various conditions including arthritis and epilepsy.
About the oil, Camilla said: “This oil is so fantastic. It helps so many people. I’ve spoken to people who have serious conditions such as epilepsy that have benefited from it.”
After meeting the Duchess, Sophia said: “She knew instantly what hemp was and was very knowledgable about it. She seemed very on board. She said she had spoken to someone who suffered from epilepsy who had benefitted from CBD oil. It was so encouraging to hear.”
The Prince of Wales, meanwhile, was reunited with Isidora Popovic during the visit, a Serbian businesswoman he helped set up in a bakery business. They first met in 1999 when Isadora started her business with a £2,000 grant from The Prince’s Trust.
Prince Charles said: “Has it been a successful operation since you started it? I’m very proud of you after all these years.”
London bakery @popinaldn was set up in 1999 by Isidora Popovic after she received a grant from HRH’s @PrincesTrust. ?
Isidora had a catch up with The Prince today during the visit to @Londonfarmers in Swiss Cottage. pic.twitter.com/zM5SKB8jtc
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 6, 2019
Mrs Popovic now runs an allied market stall company, as well as an artisan bakery and cafe with the earning of £1 million per year. She also has supplied The Prince of Wales’ shop at Highgrove with biscuits, pastries, pies, quiches and cakes; her wares are on sale in more than 20 markets around the capital.
After the meeting, Isadora said: “He meets hundreds of people but I was very pleased that he recognised me.”
At the White Lake cheese stall, Camilla looked very tempted by the wares on offer – more than 28 types of goats cheese! Other stalls the couple stopped at include an organic produce stall, bakery, cake stand, honey stand, and a chicken farm stall.
"His Royal Highness met Richard and Wendy from Moreton Mushrooms (and Tilly's Traditionals). Based on a traditional working sheep and mushroom farm, Home Farm to the south of Northamptonshire.
.#swisscottage #nw3 #swisscottagefarmersmarket #londonfarmersmarkets #LFM20 #farmers pic.twitter.com/vl6R9MLVPK— LondonFarmersMarkets (@Londonfarmers) November 6, 2019
Her Royal Highness loved the cakes made by Valerie @Honeypiebakery The Duchesss cut a seasonal pumpkin cake made by Valerie at the end of the tour. #royalvisit #lfm20 #swisscottagefarmerarket #londonfarmersmarket #honeypiebakery #duchessofcornwall #princeofwales #cake #bake pic.twitter.com/nnjmQ83eHP
— LondonFarmersMarkets (@Londonfarmers) November 6, 2019
