The Duchess of Cornwall is greeted by Dame Esther Rantzen for Cornish school visit

The Duchess of Cornwall braved a second day of heatwave temperatures as she headed to a Cornish school to listen to local students read aloud this morning – and was gifted with homemade birthday cards. 

The royal, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, donned a chic blue patterned, knee-length dress – similar to the one she wore in her official birthday portrait – as she arrived at Charlestown School in St Austell.

Greeting Camilla, who attended the event alone, was Dame Esther Rantzen – wearing a yellow floral ensemble and matching straw boater – as they discussed the work being done by Silver Stories, a charity of which Camilla is a patron. 

Meanwhile, for Prince Charles, it was a case of another day, another cake, as he celebrated the Innovative Farmers 10th anniversary at Trefranck Farm, near Launceston. 

 

Too hot for a hat, Esther? Camilla pictured arriving for a Silver Stories event, a charity of which she is a patron, on day two of the Prince of Wales and Duchess’ annual visit to the South West

The book-loving Duchess, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, shakes the hand of Silver Stories founder, Elisabeth Carney Haworth. The charity arranges for children to read over the phone to older members of the community

The book-loving Duchess, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, shakes the hand of Silver Stories founder, Elisabeth Carney Haworth. The charity arranges for children to read over the phone to older members of the community

Blooming lovely! The Duchess of Cornwall receives a bunch of flowers from two children as she arrives at Charlestown School

Blooming lovely! The Duchess of Cornwall receives a bunch of flowers from two children as she arrives at Charlestown School

A busy birthday week! Camilla has notched up several public engagements already on the couple's annual South West tour

For Prince Charles, it was a case of another day, another cake, as he celebrated the Innovative Farmers 10th anniversary at Trefranck Farm, near Launceston.

A busy birthday week! Camilla has notched up several public engagements already on the couple’s annual South West tour. Meanwhile, for Prince Charles, it was a case of another day, another cake, as he celebrated the Innovative Farmers 10th anniversary at Trefranck Farm, near Launceston

Prince Charles, also known as the Duke of Cornwall, was given wool rugs by young farmers in-the-making, Dusty Smith (centre) and his brother George (back to camera), at the anniversary celebration

Prince Charles, also known as the Duke of Cornwall, was given wool rugs by young farmers in-the-making, Dusty Smith (centre) and his brother George (back to camera), at the anniversary celebration

After cutting up slices, the future king was presented with some wool rugs by young farmers in-the-making at the anniversary celebration bash. 

Over in St Austell, The Duchess of Cornwall received a bunch of flowers from two children as she arrives at the school this morning to hear about the work the charity is doing in the local community. 

Silver Stories marries two generations for mutual gain; arranging for children to read over the phone to older members of the community who may be isolated or vulnerable.

Temperatures in St Austell have been slightly cooler than other parts of the country but the Duchess still braved highs of the late 20s.  

The Duchess of Cornwall braved a second day of heatwave temperatures as she headed to a Cornish school to listen to local students read aloud this morning

The Duchess of Cornwall braved a second day of heatwave temperatures as she headed to a Cornish school to listen to local students read aloud this morning

The Duchess appeared to be in good spirits a she met with a smal group of Silver Listeners and Silver Readers in the library at Charlestown School

The Duchess appeared to be in good spirits a she met with a smal group of Silver Listeners and Silver Readers in the library at Charlestown School

Camilla, set in front of a mural of a bright orange octopus, is a patron of the charity, which unites book lovers young and old

Camilla, set in front of a mural of a bright orange octopus, is a patron of the charity, which unites book lovers young and old 

The Duchess shares a smile with a young school pupil as they discuss books in the school's library

The Duchess shares a smile with a young school pupil as they discuss books in the school’s library  

The royal was also gifted with homemade cards to mark her milestone birthday this week

The royal was also gifted with homemade cards to mark her milestone birthday this week

Pen to paper: Camilla signs the school's visitors book during her visit

Pen to paper: Camilla signs the school’s visitors book during her visit

Yesterday, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were presented with the sweet treat at a garden party at Boconnoc House in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, to celebrate 70 years since Charles became the Duke of Cornwall.

Over the coming days, the couple will tour the county and neighbouring Devon to mark 70 years since the prince was given the title on the Queen’s accession to the throne in 1952. 

During day one, the Duchess of Cornwall joked she was going to ‘take off like Mary Poppins’ as she carried a parasol to protect against the sun.

The Prince of Wales remained cool in his sunglasses and suit – buttoned at the front – during their tour of the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole.

Yesterday, Prince Charles' cut a cake during a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall

Yesterday, Prince Charles’ cut a cake during a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall

Camilla looked stylish in a green patterned frock

Charles donned fashionable sunglasses

On Monday, Camilla looked stylish in a green patterned frock, while Charles donned fashionable sunglasses

Arriving at Mousehole, near Penzance, where temperatures were around 10 degrees below the sweltering 38C in London and the south-east, the duchess told locals: ‘This is very cool here. It’s stifling in London. I’m using my parasol. I think I’m going to take off like Mary Poppins.’

The prince and his wife were cheered by crowds lining Mousehall harbour and paused to wave at children brandishing Union Flags and Ukrainian flags on the beach.

During their tour, the royals met a couple who told them the story of their sea rescue only 24 hours earlier by lifeguards, and chatted to survivors of the Grenfell tower fire who have been given holidays in Cornwall by a local charity.

Camilla and Charles arrive for a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall

Camilla and Charles arrive for a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall

The Prince of Wales meets with guests during a garden party at Boconnoc House

The Prince of Wales meets with guests during a garden party at Boconnoc House

The Prince of Wales and Secretary & Keeper of the Records, Alastair Martin (centre) meet with guests at a garden party at Boconnoc House

The Prince of Wales and Secretary & Keeper of the Records, Alastair Martin (centre) meet with guests at a garden party at Boconnoc House

A general view of the Platinum Jubilee cake during a garden party at Boconnoc House

A general view of the Platinum Jubilee cake during a garden party at Boconnoc House

Esme Page, 53, of Cornwall Hugs Grenfell, which has helped hundreds of survivors, relatives of victims, and Grenfell firefighters spend a holiday in Cornwall, chatted to the couple.

She said afterwards: ‘At the heart of Cornwall is hospitality. This was a very special day and it’s lovely the work is being recognised.

‘We are very grateful the Royal Family takes an interest in this most horrific tragedy.’

Ukrainian refugee and classical singer Hanna Zoschuk, 34, who fled Odessa in May, has been given a home in Mousehole and also met the royals.

She entertained Charles and Camilla with her rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone alongside the Mousehole Male Voice Choir on the harbour front.

The Prince of Wales was all smiles as he met with guests during the garden party on Monday

The Prince of Wales was all smiles as he met with guests during the garden party on Monday

Charles looked dapper in a grey pinstriped suit during his engagement yesterday, alongside Camilla

Charles looked dapper in a grey pinstriped suit during his engagement yesterday, alongside Camilla

Ms Zoschuk said: ‘It was very dangerous and I couldn’t continue with my singing. I love this place and it is a great opportunity. I am very grateful for all Charles and Camilla have done and said for Ukraine.’

A trip to the Cornish seaside is not complete without a frozen treat and the couple were ushered into Webb’s Dairy Ice Cream.

Owner Charlotte Webb, 30, said: ‘I showed them our selection and they wanted vanilla with Cornish buttercream in one pot with two spoons.’

Meanwhile, for the earlier outing, showing she had considered style as well as practicality, Camilla’s parasol provided the perfect accessory to her duck-egg blue dress – which was made of cool linen. 

Prepared for anything! The Duchess of Cornwall, 75, carried a parasol as she greeted people under the blistering sun in Penzance this week

Prepared for anything! The Duchess of Cornwall, 75, carried a parasol as she greeted people under the blistering sun in Penzance this week

Camilla recycled a blue linen dress as she visited people in the village of Mousehole

Camilla recycled a blue linen dress as she visited people in the village of Mousehole

Charles and Camilla posed for a photo once they reached the harbour in Newlyn later in the afternoon

Charles and Camilla posed for a photo once they reached the harbour in Newlyn later in the afternoon 

Camilla kept her parasol up all afternoon to shield herself from the bright sunlight and record high temperatures, while Charles made sure to keep his sunglasses on

Camilla kept her parasol up all afternoon to shield herself from the bright sunlight and record high temperatures, while Charles made sure to keep his sunglasses on

Camilla, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, smiled for the camera while she chatted to locals at Newlyn harbour and fishing port

Camilla, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, smiled for the camera while she chatted to locals at Newlyn harbour and fishing port

Charles, who is known for his love of fishing, stopped to meet some local fisherman as they grafted in the baking heat

Charles, who is known for his love of fishing, stopped to meet some local fisherman as they grafted in the baking heat

The Prince of Wales inspected the detail in some copper works during his visit to Newlyn Harbour

The Prince of Wales inspected the detail in some copper works during his visit to Newlyn Harbour

Catch of the day! The Prince of Wales, a keen fisherman, was shown some fresh fish at the market

Catch of the day! The Prince of Wales, a keen fisherman, was shown some fresh fish at the market

Camilla looked prepared for all the elements as she stepped out carrying the parasol, which complemented her light blue dress perfectly

Camilla looked prepared for all the elements as she stepped out carrying the parasol, which complemented her light blue dress perfectly as she walked along with Charles

The Duchess recycled long-sleeved linen dress which she has worn several times before – including on last year’s royal tour of Devon and Cornwall.

Meanwhile Prince Charles, kitted out in a smart suit and sunglasses, looked as though he wished he’d thought to bring his own gadget to shade himself.

Charles and Camilla are exploring Devon and Cornwall on the first day of their official visit to the south west of England.

The future king and queen consort have picked an opportune time to visit the British coastline as the nation finds itself in the grip of record-high temperatures. 

Charles seemed unfazed by the heat as he waved to people in the village of Mousehole, Penzance

Charles seemed unfazed by the heat as he waved to people in the village of Mousehole, Penzance

The couple found some shade as they strolled through the streets of Penzance on the first day of their royal visit to Devon and Cornwall

The couple found some shade as they strolled through the streets of Penzance on the first day of their royal visit to Devon and Cornwall

Charles and Camilla smiled as they met with people on their visit to Devon and Cornwall

Charles and Camilla smiled as they met with people on their visit to Devon and Cornwall

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall could be exposed to temperatures of up to 31C (88F) in Penzance today

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall could be exposed to temperatures of up to 31C (88F) in Penzance today

Camilla shook hands with locals as she carried an England flag which she had been given by a well-wisher

Camilla shook hands with locals as she carried an England flag which she had been given by a well-wisher

The Duchess of Cornwall chatted to people wearing T shirts remembering the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

The Duchess of Cornwall chatted to people wearing T shirts remembering the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

But it seems the royal couple may have dodged the sweltering heat of 40C (104F) predicted in some parts of the country, with temperatures in Penzance predicted to hit highs of 31C (88F).

Nonetheless the Duchess came prepared for what is still uncharacteristically hot weather in the UK, making sure she didn’t catch too much sun.

As she met with residents of the town, Camilla took time to speak to people wearing T shirts remembering the 72 people who perished in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

Camilla, who has just celebrated her 75th birthday, gave the British public a rare glimpse into her private life in an intimate ITV documentary last week.

Camilla’s Country Life followed the Duchess as she guest edited an issue of Country Life magazine to commemorate her landmark birthday.

While taking charge of the magazine Camilla made sure to cover topics that were important to her.

Her rescue terriers, Beth and Bluebell, had a prime spot within the pages of the issue as the Duchess paid homage to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, of which she is a patron.

Camilla also commissioned a feature in the magazine on the issue of domestic violence, which she says is just as prevalent in the countryside as it is in big cities.

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