Charles and Camilla’s busy day: Cornish food & Highgrove cake

Charles and Camilla carried out both separate and joint engagements today as they kicked off their three-day visit to Devon and Cornwall.

After receiving a warm welcome in Porthleven, the royal couple were invited to sample some local food at a mini-exhibition celebrating Cornwall, an event organised by Great Cornish Food, to celebrate local creations and produce. Of course, Charles and Camilla were invited to sample some of the offerings, and they happily obliged.

They were invited to cut two cakes, one designed in the shape of Highgrove, Charles and Camilla’s private residence in Gloucestershire, and the other which represented the dove grey and gold Anna Valentine outfit Camilla wore for the couple’s marriage blessing – and a giant Cornish pasty baked in the couple’s honour!

The duo then visited Waitrose in Truro to mark the first anniversary of Love Cornish Food, an independent store which is a collaboration between The Duchy of Cornwall and Great Cornish Food. As the current holder of the Duchy of Cornwall, this is a cause very close to Prince Charles’ heart, and one which the couple were keen to explore.

The Duke of Cornwall speaks with staff at the Love Cornish Food store, a collaboration between Great Cornish Food and The Duchy of Cornwall (Clarence House)

Prince Charles visited The Cove Support Centre, which is run by Macmillan Cancer Support. Based at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, The Cove Centre provides support to those receiving treatment for cancer in the local area. The heir to the throne has been patron of Macmillan since 1997.

During his visit, Charles spoke with staff and patients about their experiences in the hospital. He also made an emotional speech, in which he praised the contribution made by Macmillan staff and volunteers ‘without whom none of this would be possible’. During the royal visit, Macmillan were running a “Look Good, Feel Better” workshop, which aims to help women undergoing chemotherapy, by teaching them make-up skills to help combat visible side effects.  Charles stopped to speak to the women attending the workshop and the group shared some jokes.

The Duchess of Cornwall, meanwhile, travelled to Bodmin Business Park to visit the new headquarters of the charity Shelterbox. Camilla has been President of the charity since 2007, and the visit was particularly poignant today given that overnight, parts of Cornwall were affected by flash flooding. Shelterbox aims to provide shelter to victims of international disasters.

The Duchess of Cornwall toured the new headquarters of charity Shelterbox, one of HRH’s patronages (Clarence House)

The new headquarters has a visitor centre, which educates people about the charity’s famous green boxes. While touring the centre, The Duchess spoke with Brian Stoyel, who is the International Director of Rotary, and unveiled a special plaque to mark the occasion. The royal visitor was presented with a surprise cake for her 70th birthday, which HRH celebrated on Monday.

During her visit, Camilla also chatted to children from Haemoor School about their fundraising efforts, as they learnt about the charity.

Before leaving the business park, The Duchess also visited local business Caterlink, which specialises in desserts, especially ice creams. Camilla helped to decorate some of the tubs of ice cream, and also had time to indulge in some samples.

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