The Prince of Wales kissed an icon depicting the resurrection of Christ as he visited a church in Athens.
Charles was touring the Byzantine Church of Kapnikarea, one of the final pit stops of his tour of the Greek capital, on Thursday when he came across the ancient tableau.
Earlier this morning, the royal was granted a reception with the head of Greece’s Orthodox Christian Church, Archbishop Ieronymos II.
The prince was led to a room full of paintings of former archbishops of Athens and was welcomed by other Greek bishops.
The Archbishop told him: ‘Welcome to the land of half of your ancestors.’
Charles has long been interested in Orthodox Christianity, privately visiting monasteries in Romania and Greece – where his paternal great-grandfather reigned and his father, Prince Philip, was born.
Sealed with a kiss: The Prince of Wales kisses an icon depicting the resurrection of Christ as he visits the Byzantine Church of Kapnikarea, Athens, on Thursday morninh
Charles and Camilla said they were ‘touched’ to have been granted an audience with high-ranking clergymen during their tour of Athens this morning
On tour: The royal couple arrived in Greece for a three-day visit Wednesday, meeting the country’s prime minister and president. They will visit the island of Crete Friday
The couple were given a warm welcome as they toured the Greek capital. After visiting the 11th century Church of St Eirini and the stalls of St Eirini Square, they tried traditional Greek coffee in a local cafe
Replying to the Archbishop’s greeting, the prince said: ‘I’m most grateful for your extremely generous welcome. I’m enormously touched that you should receive me here on this visit to Athens.’
Charles also received a gift of an icon of the Virgin Mary from the Archbishop.
He joked: ‘I’m afraid my gift is very inadequate in return.’
Charles then handed the Archbishop a family photo of himself and the Duchess of Cornwall before signing the visitors’ book.
Next, Charles visited HMS ECHO at Piraeus Harbour where he was greeted by Commander Andrew Norgate, Commanding Officer.
Charles boards HMS ECHO during a visit to Piraeus Harbour. He was greeted by Andrew Norgate, Commanding Officer, and have the opportunity to tour the ship
The Prince chats to crew on board HMS Echo. He was briefed on ECHO’s work with EU Naval Forces and given a tour of the ship, during which he saw the deck laid out for migrant rescue
Charles meets crew members. Before departing, he presented a Long Service and Good Conduct clasp to Warrant Officer Doody, and Commander Norgate said a few words of thanks
Charles shares a joke with Andrew Norgate, Commanding Officer, as they climb on board the HMS Echo today, the second pit stop on a busy day of engagements in Athens
During his tour, he was briefed on ECHO’s work with EU Naval Forces and given a tour of the ship, meeting members of the Ship’s Company and seeing the deck laid out for migrant rescue.
Before departing, he presented a Long Service and Good Conduct clasp to Warrant Officer Doody, and Commander Norgate said a few words of thanks.
The Prince will later board a historic Greek warship now serving as a floating museum, the Georgios Averof, on the next leg of his whistlestop tour.
The royal couple arrived in Greece for a three-day visit of Greece Wednesday, meeting the country’s prime minister and president. They will visit the island of Crete Friday.
A feast for the eyes! Charles and Camilla samples the local delicacies on Thursday morning as they visited Kapnikarea, Athens on the latest leg of their five-day tour of France and Greece
Camila couldn’t hide her delight as she surveyed a stand of koulouri, traditional Greek pretzels which were dusted with sesame seeds. She wore a pistachio-coloured tunic
The couple, who arrived in Athens on Wednesday afternoon, surprised locals when they stopped at Kapnikarea café to try out some traditional Greek coffee
Whistlestop tour! The couple earlier stopped for refreshment during a walkabout in the Kapnikarea area of central Athens
The couple earlier stopped for refreshment during a walkabout in the Kapnikarea area of central Athens.
After visiting the 11th century Church of St Eirini and the stalls of St Eirini Square, they tried traditional Greek coffee in a local cafe.
Afterwards they visited stalls with local delicacies including loukoumades, traditional Greek doughnuts, and koulouri, traditional Greek pretzels, before heading to the final stop on the tour – the Byzantine Church of Kapnikarea.
Despite enjoying a range of local delicacies including a traditional cup of Greek coffee (pictured), local protesters holding placards called on the royals to go vegan
The couple were given a warm reception from locals in Athens. Yesterday, the pair delighted fans when they described next week’s royal wedding as ‘marvellous’ and ‘special’
Large crowds gathered in the city centre today to catch a glimpse of the royal couple this morning as they near the end of their three-day tour of Greece
Camilla, 70, swapped last night’s designer gown for a pistachio-coloured tunic and floral clutch bag, shielding her eyes in a pair of dark wayfarers, while her husband kept it formal in a navy suit.
The couple, who are on a five-day royal tour of France and Greece, spent last night at a banquet hosted by president Prokopios Pavlopoulos and his wife Vlassia in the Greek capital.
After arriving in Athens on Wednesday, Charles met the country’s Left-wing prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, while Camilla visited the Benkai Museum with his partner, Betty Baziana.
And the pair delighted fans when they described next week’s royal wedding as ‘marvellous’ and ‘special’.
Daytime look: Camilla, 70, swapped last night’s designer gown for a floral clutch bag, shielding her eyes in a pair of dark wayfarers, while her husband kept it formal in a navy suit
Charles and Camilla spent the morning sampling local delicacies at Kapnikarea and the surrounding shopping area, getting stuck into traditional doughnuts and pretzels
Ladies first? While Camilla was keen to try out the tasty pretzels, her husband beat her to it as he enthusiastically grabbed a bag from the vendor
Spoilt for choice: While there were a variety of koulouri pretzels on display, Camilla appeared to indulge her sweet tooth when she opted for a sugar-coated variety
Private tour: After arriving in Athens on Wednesday, Charles met the country’s Left-wing prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, while Camilla visited the Benkai Museum with his partner
Non-stop schedule: Their trip, which kicked off on Monday morning, has already taken them to Nice, Lyon and the medieval city of Eze
Royal visit: Charles and Camilla were on their last engagement of a three-day tour of France on behalf of the British Government before flying onto Athens
Busy itinerary: The couple, who are on a five-day royal tour of France and Greece, spent last night at a banquet hosted by president Prokopios Pavlopoulos and his wife Vlassia in Athens
Asked about his son Prince Harry’s forthcoming nuptials to Meghan Markle at a flower market in Nice yesterday morning, the heir to the throne said: ‘Obviously marvellous. I’m sure it will be a very special day for everybody. ‘
Charles and Camilla were on their last engagement of a three-day tour of France on behalf of the British Government before flying onto Athens.
Their trip, which kicked off on Monday morning, has already taken them to Nice, Lyon and the medieval city of Eze.