The Prince of Wales championed Britain’s rural tourism when he visited celebrity farmer Adam Henson’s farm attraction – and found himself surrounded by piglets.
Charles, 71, toured Cotsworld Farm Park in Guiting Power near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire – a rare breed centre visited by 150,000 people a year which opens its doors to the public on Saturday after months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The heir to the throne was keen to learn how the attraction and a 1,600-acre holding both run by Henson, who co-presents the BBC’s Countryfile programme, were coping during the pandemic which has seen businesses suffering financially.
In a lighter moment the prince was taken into a small field and shown an inquisitive Gloucestershire old spot sow and her energetic piglets, after Henson tempted them over by pouring feed into a trough.
The Prince of Wales, 71, visited a farm park in Gloucestershire run by BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson (pictured together) to learn how the attraction has coped during the Covid-19 pandemic today
The royal was greeted by farmer and television personality Adam Henson during a visit to Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power near Cheltenham
Prince Charles looked at wheat from his farm called Heritage Blend as he visited Shipton Mill, which holds HRH’s Royal Warrant and specialises in high quality traditional milling in Long Newnton, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The royal family have been slowly returning to public duties as lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, and Charles has already attended a ceremony welcoming France’s President Macron to the UK and met health and care workers at a hospital in Gloucester last month.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also been meeting the public, visiting local businesses close to their Norfolk home.
Social distancing rules were followed as Charles, patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), arrived at the farm and greeted staff and BBC host Adam Henson at a distance.
The presenter’s attraction is a RBST accredited farm park and during the visit Charles was shown its conservation area, which includes beehives, a miniature wild flower meadow and space for insects to thrive.
Prince Charles was introduced to Victoria, a Suffolk Punch horse by farmer and television personality Adam Henson (pictured left) during a visit to the rare breed centre
Prince Charles met with staff members during his visit as he continues to slowly return to public duties as lockdown restrictions have been relaxed
The royal’s visit to Cotswold Farm Park highlights the important work that these farm parks do in preserving British native breeds. Pictured, Charles smiles as he views rare breeds
During his visit, the prince saw many of the rare breeds that live on the farm in the livestock area. Pictured, being introduced to Victoria, a Suffolk Punch horse by farmer and television personality Adam Henson
Charles looked at a Gloucestershire Old Spot pig with her piglets during a visit to Cotswold Farm Park
The royal is a passionate farmer who runs Home Farm in Gloucestershire by his organic principles. Pictured, looking at Gloucestershire Old Spot piglets
Charles is a passionate farmer who runs Home Farm in Gloucestershire by his organic principles and in the past has reared the rare breed pigs, which were traditionally kept in orchards and known for their high-quality meat before falling out of favour.
He has reared the likes of Tamworth pigs and Irish Moiled, Gloucester, Shetland and British White cattle, as well as Hebridean and Shropshire sheep at his Home Farm near Tetbury.
During his visit, the prince saw many of the rare breeds that live on the farm in the livestock area, including Suffolk Punch horses, Albion cattle, North Ronaldsay Sheep, Bagot Goats, Exmoor ponies and Gloucestershire old spot pigs.
He was also introduced to Victoria, a 19-year-old Suffolk Punch horse – another rare breed – and posed for a picture with the imposing animal.
Henson said: ‘I know he wanted to come to make a statement, to get it out there, the value of rural tourism, rare breeds, conservation and education – that’s very much what we’re about.
‘We’re a big commercial farm but the diversification and rural tourism part of our business is essential, but has been suffering seriously during Covid-19, as so many other businesses have.’
Prince Charles donned a grey blazer and matching trousers as he walked past Highland Cattle during his visit
The aim of the visit is to encourage visitors to return to them when they re-open and go back regularly throughout the year to watch the animals change and grow. Pictured, looking at a Gloucestershire Old Spot pig with her piglets
Prince Charles donned a pair of stylish sunglasses as he visited Shipton Mill, which holds HRH’s Royal Warrant and specialises in high quality traditional milling
A Boer goat poses for a picture as Britain’s Prince Charles, right, visits Cotswold Farm Park
Social distancing rules were followed as Charles, patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), arrived at the farm and greeted staff
During the first few days of the coronavirus lockdown, the mill saw a huge twenty-five fold increase in demand, which entailed a great battle through long nights, to help meet the demand. Pictured, Charles looks at wheat from his farm called Heritage Blend