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King Charles meets craft students at annual event

Chris Jackson/PA King Charles III. He is pictured outside an entrance which is decorated for Christmas. Fairylights, red ribbon and wreaths can be seen in the distance, although they are out of focus in the frame. The King is wearing a light brown coat, a white shirt and a light pink tie. He has short white hair and blue eyes. He is looking away from the lens, smiling. Chris Jackson/PA
King Charles III attended an event at Highgrove

King Charles III has spoken about the "battle" to maintain "timeless skills" while meeting artists working to keep traditional crafts alive.

His Majesty attended The King's Foundation's annual Crafts at Christmas event at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire on Friday.

Post-graduate students on a furniture course presented the King with a box of baubles carved from alder, oak and cedar.

Emily Rose Saunders, who is studying with the foundation, said it was "really exciting" to see the King's passion for crafts.

The King's Foundation is an educational charity, inspired by His Majesty's vision and values.

It offers courses for almost 15,000 students every year, as well as health and wellbeing programmes and regeneration projects to revitalise communities and historic buildings in the UK and abroad.

Chris Jackson/PA King Charles III pictured next to two young women. The one to the left of the frame has short dark hair and is wearing black. The woman on the right has long blonde hair, glasses, and is wearing a red dress. King Charles is wearing a dark grey suit jacket and trousers with a white collar shirt and pink tie. All three of them are standing at a table covered with crafts and hats. None of them are looking at the camera - they are looking down at the table.Chris Jackson/PA
King Charles III met with students from The King's Foundation

Ms Saunders said the King was "really engaged" with attendees at the event and was interested in learning about their creations.

One of the milliner's main passions is straw plaiting, a technique she is eager to "bring back into the modern world" with the help of the King and fashion house Chanel, who sponsor her course.

She added: "We wouldn't be here without His Majesty, and to be able to have that support from both him and Chanel means that we are able to have this time.

"When else would you be able to have eight months where you can solely learn a skill?

"It's really nice to be able to meet him and thank him for that, really."

Chris Jackson/PA King Charles III meeting carol singers. He is wearing a light brown coat over a white shirt and pink tie. The carol singers are all in black jumpers with a star on the side. They are also wearing red santa hats. The King is looking at the singers and they are all smiling. Chris Jackson/PA
Carol singers also met His Majesty

At the event, the King also listened to carols sung by members of Rock Choir and was handed a cone of roasted chestnuts by vendor Paul Venn.

Mr Venn said: "When I handed him the nuts he says he loves them, but he ate so many when he was young he couldn't eat another."

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