2 days ago
King reveals favourite snack
The King revealed his penchant for an unusual choice of snack during his first official visit to Lancashire as monarch.
He also advised a 'fantastic' 101-year-old veteran to 'keep drinking the whisky' and chatted to locals about varied subjects from local wool to the NHS.
King Charles told Gillian Hale, from the local Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, that he was partial to sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit.
Ms Hale said afterwards: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.'
The King received a rapturous welcome on arrival at the historic Lancaster Castle, where schoolchildren lined his route, a military band played and crowds who had gathered from 5am with flasks of tea waved Union flags.
He met businesses displaying wares from cheese to navigation systems before being gifted a tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn.
Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.'
The King went on to a reception celebrating the county, where guests included representatives from charities, a hospice and the Lancaster Literature Festival, as well as war veteran Richard Brock, 101, who served in the D-Day landings.
After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic' before adding: 'Keep drinking the whisky.'
Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said afterwards: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.'
Stephen Atkinson, the newly elected Reform UK leader of Lancashire county council, chatted to the King about his new role.
Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.'
A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – comprised of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year.
He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.'
The King had been due to travel to Fiji as part of a longer tour of Australia and Samoa last autumn but the trip was curtailed following his cancer diagnosis.
Among those who waited for hours to meet the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who were joined by staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home.
Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of the then Prince Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago.
She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.'
Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.'
Mrs Hardcastle got the chance to shake the King's hand as he left the castle, insisting he had not changed.
Meanwhile, Donna Simpson, 59, was in tears after meeting the King.
She asked him to pass a message to the Prince of Wales, who she met in Manchester around eight years ago when her daughter Rachel, now 25, was being treated for cancer.
She said: 'We met William just after she had a bone marrow transplant.
'She is a veterinary nurse now. She has beaten the odds and I wanted them to know.
'Charles said thank you and he would let them know. I just can't believe that.'
The King, who is Duke of Lancaster also took part in a short Ceremony of the Keys – a tradition that dates back to 1851 when the keys to the castle were first presented to Queen Victoria.
