PRINCE Charles has paid a surprise visit to Hereford.
The Prince, who is first in line to the throne, was seen outside the Bishop's Palace, near Hereford Cathedral yesterday (Tuesday).
Hereford Times understands he has been in the area looking at the Duchy Estate, and also paid a visit to Hereford Cathedral.
The Prince was filmed by Mark Jordan leaving the Bishop's Palace and getting into a waiting black electric Audi and surrounded by security.
"Quite the surprise!" said Mark.
The Prince of Wales has a long-standing relationship with the cathedral, and has been patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust since 2004.
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A Herefordshire Cathedral spokesperson said it was the first opportunity the Prince has had to meet the new Dean of Hereford, the Very Rev Sarah Brown.
"It was wonderful to welcome His Royal Highness to Hereford Cathedral," said the dean.
"His Royal Highness first visited the cathedral in the 1980s and has supported our work throughout that time. It was a pleasure to be able to talk to him about our future aspirations."
During the visit, Prince Charles visited a number of projects supported by the Perpetual Trust, including the restoration of the Choir House and Old Chapel as part of the recently completed Eastern Cloister Project, and learnt about the developments in the music department, the restoration of the Cathedral Close and the installation of Ascension, the memorial to the SAS.
He also had the opportunity to view the All Things Bright exhibition, which highlights 1,000 years of metalwork from cathedral and diocese, on display within the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.
"His Royal Highness has always been a very supportive patron of the trust," said Nat Hone, trust chair.
"He has visited and has hosted events for us.
"It was a pleasure to be able to show him some of the projects we have funded, to talk about the importance of building an endowment to secure the cathedral’s long-term financial future and to be able to discuss Dean Sarah’s vision for our future ministry."
"We were very touched by His Royal Highness’s visit.
"Like so many other organisations, due to Covid, we were not able to commemorate the trust’s 25th anniversary last year and His Royal Highnesses visit has given us an opportunity to celebrate."
The visit lasted almost an hour, and Prince Charles also took the opportunity to meet visitors to the cathedral including children taking part in half-term activities.
He emerged from coronavirus isolation last week after testing positive for the virus for a second time, while his mother, the Queen, is currently reported to be suffering mild cold-like symptoms after also testing positive for the virus.
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