Bumper crowds turned out to see The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on the first day of their three-day visit to the county today.
Padstow Primary School was the couple’s first port of call, followed by a visit to the RNLI. Prince Charles and Camilla chatted with the lifeboat crew, which includes volunteers, about the lifesaving work they undertake.
Michael England, mechanic and deputy second coxswain, said: “It was a privilege to meet The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
“They spoke in-depth with some of the volunteer crew about the work they do and asked questions about the lifeboat shouts they have been involved in. Prince Charles was interested in the Tamar Class lifeboat[…]he thought it was marvellous.”
The Duchess had the chance to be updated on one of her charities, disaster-relief organisation Shelterbox, of which she is President, during the morning visit. The charity encourages being prepared out at sea, also promoting respect of the ocean, a wild, untameable beast.
Talking with the crowds, which included a large number of furry friends. Charles spoke with fisherman James Chown, whom The Prince’s Trust supported 20 years ago: “The help I got from the charity helped me set up my business and invest in the equipment I needed,” he said to Western Morning News.
“It was entirely by chance that I got the opportunity to thank Prince Charles – he was quite surprised to find out about it.”
Charles also spoke with another fisherman about sustainability issues, something the Prince is passionate about. Music was played by a local brass band during this time, to lift the mood following a drizzly start to the Royal couple’s day.
The Prince of Wales, who is heavily involved in the running of the Duchy of Cornwall, and therefore knows the area well, gave some youngsters advice: where to buy the best ice cream! Prince Charles told four youths from Leicester that the shop around the corner from where they stood was the best place to go.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall later made an appearance at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey, marking 25 years since they were rediscovered. Touriism and community are the two main focusses of this year’s annual visit to the couple’s namesake county.
Photo: Andy Gott
