Duke of Cornwall's first official visit to county

The Duke of Cornwall has made his first official visit to the county since taking up his new role.

Prince William was named Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cornwall after his father acceded to the throne.

He visited Newquay Orchard, a community project founded in 2015 on Duchy land.

The duke joined volunteers at An Lowarth, Cornish for garden, where people can learn new skills to improve their physical and mental health.

The orchard works with more than 120 volunteers each week, who take part in everything from mulching and weeding to planting trees.

There is also a community cafe that sells much of the produce.

Luke Berkeley, who is chief executive of the orchard, said he was "really, really proud" the prince had chosen to visit the project as his first official engagement in the new role.

"We had a visit from the King a couple of months ago and we feel enormously privileged to be thought of in this way," he said.

"We have had a lot of support from the Duchy which we are very thankful for. The King has always been very supportive and clearly without him we would not be here."

The Duchy of Cornwall is a major landowner in the south-west of England - the private estate funds both the charitable and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall.

Gemma Lewry, the education officer, said the garden's students were "very excited" to meet the prince - including one who asked for a selfie.

"We look after lots of students with different learning needs, maybe different mental health needs, and he had a nice chat with us about what we've been doing," she said.

"He had a nice chat with [one of our students] who cheekily asked him for a selfie, and he of course obliged."

The Prince and Princess of Wales praised volunteers for their "amazing work" on Twitter.

Rebecca, whose son uses the facility, said the royal visit had been a "fantastic surprise".

"I love the fact that it was so low key and he was so approachable," she said.

"He had quite a long chat with my son - my son has additional needs so it was really beautiful to watch their interaction."

Mr Berkeley added: "The reaction he got from people - the enjoyment and the smiles - will stay with me for a long time."

While in Cornwall, the duke also visited Duchy offices to meet staff as he takes on the stewardship of the estate.

The prince has previously said protecting the natural environment for future generations is one of his key priorities.

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