During King Charles’s first visit to Lancashire since being crowned monarch, the royal revealed a favourite snack of his, which might surprise royal fans. Today, Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside Lancaster Castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015.
Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. It was here that the King expressed his love for cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers’ Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep’s cheese on a digestive biscuit.
The King smelt some of the cheeses, but did not try them on this occasion. Gillian told PA: “We’re going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.”
Other gifts the King received on his visit were a neck tie and some gloves for Queen Camilla from Northern Yarn.
A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment – made up 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.”
Before the King left, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, made by sculptor Alan Ward, who has a studio in the castle.
Lancashire Police said measures today had been put in place to manage the influx of well wishers to the city, and warned people they needed to plan ahead to avoid disruption.
The King will also be preparing this week for his official birthday – Trooping the Colour, which takes place on Saturday, 14 June.
Trooping is one of the highlights of the royal calendar, drawing crowds from across the country and the world. It features the traditional Buckingham Palace balcony appearance and has marked the sovereign’s official birthday with a ceremonial parade for more than 250 years.
From 1979 to 2017, it was always held on the Saturday from June 11 to 17; however, in 2018, it was held on June 9 and in 2019, on June 8. This year it is scheduled for June 14. King Charles’s birthday is not on that date, however, as he was born on November 14.
This year’s Trooping the Colour will see the Coldstream Guards troop their regiment’s flag – otherwise known as the Colour – in front of King Charles at Horse Guards Parade on June 14. The Coldstream Guards are part of the Household Division, which is made up of two regiments of the Household Cavalry (the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals) and five regiments of Foot Guards (the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards).