PRINCE Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will rub shoulders with some of the country’s more rebellious citizens at this year’s Hay Festival.

The royal couple will visit the border town on May 23 when they will tour a number of regional regeneration projects.

Also on the agenda is a meeting with shoolchildren and speakers attending the Programme for Schools day, a free day of events with leading children’s writers and performers for pupils and teachers.

Festival organisers might be keen to keep the Prince of Wales away from other guests such as Irvine Welsh.

The Scottish author who wrote Trainspotting and Filth declared through Twitter in March that he “detests the monarchy”.

The royal couple’s visit is the second to the county this year. They opened a community centre in Credenhill in February before meeting members of the SAS.

Hay Festival runs from May 23 to June 2 and features hundreds of guests talking on subjects ranging from literature and politics to history and music.

For programme information and tickets, visit hayfestival.com. See also Time Out, page 122.