The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall's annual visit to the South West of England

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall carried out their annual visit to the South West of England this week.

On Monday 15th July, The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (as The Prince of Wales is known when visiting Cornwall) visited Mevagissey Harbour. Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by the Harbour Master and local fishermen, as well as a sea-shanty group.

Mevagissey is the second fastest growing port in Cornwall and is unique in the growing number of younger fishermen joining the trade, sustaining new and multi-generational families in the industry.

His Royal Highness, who is President of the National Trust, then travelled to Boscastle to mark the 60th anniversary of Cornwall as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Meanwhile, Her Royal Highness attended a Big Lunch celebration at the Eden Project. Since 2009, The Big Lunch has brought people together with their neighbours for a few hours of community, friendship and fun every June. Her Royal Highness has been Patron of The Big Lunch since 2013.

Their Royal Highnesses started their second day of engagements in Devon and Cornwall with a visit to the Ginsters bakery in Tavistock to celebrate the company’s 50th birthday. 

After meeting guests, employees and local businesses who help to supply the ingredients, The Duchess of Cornwall was shown how to make a traditional Cornish pasty by Toby Hill, a baker with Ginsters.

Their Royal Highnesses also visited Tavistock to celebrate the town’s recent restoration to its historic buildings and to attend the local Community Festival of Food and Crafts. 

In the evening, The Duke and Duchess attended a reception to celebrate the 50th anniversary of His Royal Highness's Chairmanship of the Duchy of Cornwall Prince's Council. Throughout his fifty years of stewardship, The Duke has been actively involved in running the Duchy. His Royal Highness's philosophy is to nurture and improve the estate in order to pass it on to the next generation in a stronger condition.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall finished their three-day tour of Devon and Cornwall with visits in Cullompten, Sidmouth and Simonsbath.

His Royal Highness started the day with a visit to the headquarters of Gregory Distribution Ltd to celebrate the company’s centenary year. The Duke met longstanding employees, local customers and Duchy of Cornwall farmers who use the company to transport their produce. 

The Duchess of Cornwall visited The Donkey Sanctuary to celebrate the charity’s 50th anniversary. The Donkey Sanctuary runs 10 sanctuaries across the UK and Europe, caring for more than 6,000 donkeys and mules. 

Their Royal Highnesses ended the day by attending a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act at a Big Picnic in Exmoor National Park.