King and Queen Consort meet Gareth Southgate in Manchester

The King and the Queen Consort have met England men's manager Gareth Southgate during a visit to Manchester.

They celebrated the impact of footballer and anti-poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford at a community centre near his childhood home in Wythenshawe.

The Manchester United and England star, who is due to play against Arsenal this Sunday, was unable to attend.

Camilla unveiled bookshelves named in honour of Rashford, who promotes reading through his book club.

An avid reader herself, she met author Alex Falase-Koya - who co-wrote The Breakfast Club Adventures with Rashford - and local children who took part in a writing session.

Rashford became an MBE after his campaign for free school meals during school holidays led to a change in government policy during the 2020 coronavirus lockdowns.

The monarch joined Southgate, who is also a Prince's Trust ambassador, meeting youngsters taking part in leadership and entrepreneurial schemes.

Earlier in the day, King Charles visited the offices of the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency GCHQ.

He met staff and schoolchildren learning codebreaking skills at the hub, which opened in Manchester city centre in 2019.

He also visited the world's biggest corn flakes factory at the Kellogg's site in Trafford Park.

The event marked a century since the US firm introduced its cereals to the UK in 1922.

King Charles, who unveiled a plaque, sparked laughter when he joked: "Sorry, I'm a year late."

Kellogg's has been a holder of the Royal Warrant - which enables a firm to trade with the Royal Household and use the Royal Arms - since the reign of the King's grandfather George VI.

In the 1980s, its cereals were delivered to Buckingham Palace in a small van named Genevieve.

Chatting to workers at Europe's largest cereal factory the King described the sweet molasses as "very special".

The King and Camilla also visited Bolton Town Hall in their first official joint appearance since the Duke of Sussex's controversial book Spare was published earlier this month.

They met local groups in a celebration marking 150 years since 150,000 people attended the town hall's 1873 opening by the King's great-great grandfather, who later became King Edward VII.

They were also shown the famous artwork Going to the Match by LS Lowry, who was inspired by Bolton Wanderers' Burnden Park ground.

The painting has recently returned to public display in Salford after it was auctioned for a record-breaking £7.8m.

King Charles arrived in Manchester after travelling on the royal train for the first time since his reign began, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.

He was greeted by local dignitaries including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

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