Prince Charles sits down and chat with a hospice resident during jam-packed Wales visit

The Prince of Wales showed his caring side today as he took the time to sit down with a hospice patient during a day packed with activities in Wales. 

Prince Charles, 71, visited the Marie Curie Hospice in Cardiff and the Vale, where he met staff and spent time with 97-year-old patient Maureen Russell.

The heir to the throne was seen sharing a joke with Maureen and held her hand as he sat at her bedside.  

Earlier today he visited the new Aston Martin Lagonda factory in St Athan, and visited the CAF train factory of South Wales to officially open the facility.

Later today, the royal will make a series of visits to businesses and charities in South Wales, before meeting local residents impacted by recent flooding.  

The royal took the time to sit down with Maureen Russell, a 97-year-old patient staying at the hospice (pictured) 

In a series of visit in Wales today, Prince Charles, 71, headed to the Marie Curie Hospice in Cardiff and the Vale, where he met with staff (pictured)

In a series of visit in Wales today, Prince Charles, 71, headed to the Marie Curie Hospice in Cardiff and the Vale, where he met with staff (pictured) 

The royal donned a smart grey suit for today’s round of engagements, adding a pop of colour with a playful pink tie covered in a pattern of white elephants and cheetahs. 

This morning, Charles arrived at the Aston Martin factory in his vintage car, and could be seen beaming as he disembarked the vehicle. 

The royal was given a tour of the new facility during his visit to St Athan today and given the chance to test drive the new Aston Martin DBX during his visit. 

He later gave a speech at a reception at the event, before unveiling a special plaque for the new facility.   

Busy Prince Charles took the time to have a lovely conversation with Maureen, who was resting in her bed (pictured)

Busy Prince Charles took the time to have a lovely conversation with Maureen, who was resting in her bed (pictured) 

In a rare quiet moment in a whirlwind of a day, the future King to the time to listen to Maureen as the two chatted away

In a rare quiet moment in a whirlwind of a day, the future King to the time to listen to Maureen as the two chatted away 

Prince Charles arrived in style for a royal visit today as he drove his vintage Aston Martin DB36 to visit a new Aston Martin Lagonda factory in St Athan

Prince Charles arrived in style for a royal visit today as he drove his vintage Aston Martin DB36 to visit a new Aston Martin Lagonda factory in St Athan 

Earlier today, the royal had taken to the driving seat of a partly constructed train at the CAF factory in Newport

Earlier today, the royal had taken to the driving seat of a partly constructed train at the CAF factory in Newport  

Prince Charles appeared in high spirits as he made a visit to CAF train factory in Newport in order to open the facility earlier today

Prince Charles appeared in high spirits as he made a visit to CAF train factory in Newport in order to open the facility earlier today

The royal was also given the honour of placing the Aston Martin logo on the new DBX during his visit to the factory. 

Earlier this morning, he appeared in high spirits as he arrived at the CAF factory, which is owned by the leading Spanish train maker. 

The royal could be seen laughing and joking with staff during a tour of the factory as they spoke through the manufacturing process, and even climbed aboard a carriage. 

The factory builds and test trains including diesel, electric, high-speed and trams.  

The royal was given the honour of placing the Aston Martin logo on the new DBX during his visit to the factory

The royal was given the honour of placing the Aston Martin logo on the new DBX during his visit to the factory

The royal could be seen delicately placing the logo on the company's new DBX car, after test driving the car

The royal could be seen delicately placing the logo on the company’s new DBX car, after test driving the car 

The royal received assistance while placing the logo on the brand new car at the new factory today

The royal received assistance while placing the logo on the brand new car at the new factory today 

Prince Charles gave a speech at a reception at the event, before unveiling a special plaque for the new

Prince Charles gave a speech at a reception at the event, before unveiling a special plaque for the new

As well as the vintage vehicle, Prince Charles tested out the new Aston Martin DBX during his visit

As well as the vintage vehicle, Prince Charles tested out the new Aston Martin DBX during his visit

The royal could be seen sharing a smile with staff at the factory after test driving the brand's new SUV

The royal could be seen sharing a smile with staff at the factory after test driving the brand’s new SUV

Behind the wheel! Prince Charles took to the driving seat while at the facility as he testdrove the new Aston Martin SUV

Behind the wheel! Prince Charles took to the driving seat while at the facility as he testdrove the new Aston Martin SUV

The royal appeared overjoyed as he drove the brand's first SUV as part of his royal visit today in St Athan

The royal appeared overjoyed as he drove the brand’s first SUV as part of his royal visit today in St Athan 

Prince Charles appeared enthralled as he spoke with Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin

Prince Charles appeared enthralled as he spoke with Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin

The men spoke as Prince Charles prepared to test drive the new Aston Martin SUV at the new facility in South Wales

The men spoke as Prince Charles prepared to test drive the new Aston Martin SUV at the new facility in South Wales 

Prince Charles met with some of the 220 employees, while they talked the royal through the production process. 

The royal could be seen laughing and joking with employees as they spoke about the manufacturing process within the factory. 

Later, he climbed aboard a partially completed train and studied various parts during the royal visit. 

The royal, who officially opened the factory during his visit today, also attended a reception for staff and local dignitaries in order to celebrate.     

Prince Charles appeared excited as he chatted with staff at the Aston Martin factory before test driving the company's first SUV

Prince Charles appeared excited as he chatted with staff at the Aston Martin factory before test driving the company's first SUV

Prince Charles appeared excited as he chatted with staff at the Aston Martin factory before test driving the company’s first SUV

In the driving seat! Prince Charles arrived in style at the royal visit as he rode in his vintage vehicle to the factory

In the driving seat! Prince Charles arrived in style at the royal visit as he rode in his vintage vehicle to the factory 

The Prince of Wales drove himself between royal visits today in his vintage Aston Martin car (pictured)

The Prince of Wales drove himself between royal visits today in his vintage Aston Martin car (pictured) 

The royal's Aston Martin bore many of the original features, including the mascot of the Aston Martin DB6

The royal’s Aston Martin bore many of the original features, including the mascot of the Aston Martin DB6

The royal appeared delighted and could be seen beaming as he arrived at the factory in St Athan earlier on today

The royal appeared delighted and could be seen beaming as he arrived at the factory in St Athan earlier on today 

During the visit, the Prince of Wales unveiled a plaque alongside CAF’s chief executive Andres Arizkorreta. 

The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which was completed in 2017, after CAF ploughed £32million into the plant at the Celtic Business Park in Newport, a former steelworks that is not far from the steel hub of Port Talbot. 

Later today, Prince Chalres will pay a visit to the Marie Curie Hospice in Cardiff and the Vale to meet with patients and staff. 

Later he will travel to the British Airways Maintenance Centre to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company. 

The royal was helped by a member of his entourage as he prepared to leave the facility this morning

The royal was helped by a member of his entourage as he prepared to leave the facility this morning

The royal was helped by a member of his entourage as he prepared to leave the facility this morning 

The Prince of Wales unveiled a plaque and gave a speech during the reception at the factory earlier today

The Prince of Wales unveiled a plaque and gave a speech during the reception at the factory earlier today 

He was joined by the chief executive of the company, Andres Arizkorreta, on stage as he unveiled the plaque

He was joined by the chief executive of the company, Andres Arizkorreta, on stage as he unveiled the plaque 

The royal appeared in high spirits as he spoke during a reception at the CAF train factory in Newport earlier today

The royal appeared in high spirits as he spoke during a reception at the CAF train factory in Newport earlier today

The royal appeared in high spirits as he spoke during a reception at the CAF train factory in Newport earlier today 

The royal was applauded as he took to the stage to unveil a plaque and officially open the facility in South Wales

The royal was applauded as he took to the stage to unveil a plaque and officially open the facility in South Wales 

Prince Charles appeared in high spirits during the visit today, which kickstarts a busy day for the royal

Prince Charles appeared in high spirits during the visit today, which kickstarts a busy day for the royal  

Prince Charles appeared delighted as he took to the drivers seat of a train currently undergoing construction at the facility

Prince Charles appeared delighted as he took to the drivers seat of a train currently undergoing construction at the facility 

In the driving seat! The royal appeared to enjoy a tour of the facility, which involved him testing out the carriage of one of the trains

In the driving seat! The royal appeared to enjoy a tour of the facility, which involved him testing out the carriage of one of the trains 

Later, he climbed aboard a train as he heard more about the production process from staff at the facility

The royal could be seen smiling as he studied the parts of the manufacturing process during the visit today

The royal could be seen smiling as he studied the parts of the manufacturing process during the visit today 

Staff talked Prince Charles through the production process during his visit to the factory, with the royal climbing aboard a train currently under construction

Staff talked Prince Charles through the production process during his visit to the factory, with the royal climbing aboard a train currently under construction 

He could be seen sharing a laugh with staff at the factory as he was offered a tour of the facility earlier today

He could be seen sharing a laugh with staff at the factory as he was offered a tour of the facility earlier today 

The royal could be seen beaming and sharing jokes with employees whom he met at the factory today

The royal could be seen beaming and sharing jokes with employees whom he met at the factory today 

He’s also set to meet with residents in the town of Pontypridd who have been affected by recent floods, and meet those involved in the rescue and support effort. 

It comes amid a busy week for Prince Charles, who yesterday presented the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes at Buckingham Palace.

Earlier on this week, the royal donned a hard hat and high-viz jacket to meet some of the skilled costume and prop-makers from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) during a visit to Warwickshire.

And last week, he hosted The Prince’s Trust Invest in Futures Gala at Kensington Palace. 

He appeared in excellent spirits as he welcomed stars including Claudia Winkleman and Rob Brydon to the gala, which is the largest fundraising event of The Prince’s Trust, generating vital funds to support thousands of young people into jobs, education or training.

The royal donned a simple grey suit with a playful pink tie for the royal visit to the factory in South Wales today

The royal donned a simple grey suit with a playful pink tie for the royal visit to the factory in South Wales today 

Prince Charles could be seen chatting with staff as they talked through the production process at the facility

Prince Charles could be seen chatting with staff as they talked through the production process at the facility 

The royal appeared in high spirits as he shared a joke with one factory worker during the visit earlier today

The royal appeared in high spirits as he shared a joke with one factory worker during the visit earlier today  

Prince Charles could be seen sharing a giggle with a factory worker while making the royal visit earlier today

Prince Charles could be seen sharing a giggle with a factory worker while making the royal visit earlier today

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