The Prince of Wales visits Alnwick Gardens as part of his two day royal visit

Prince Charles visits Alnwick on final day of visit

The Prince of Wales has visited Alnwick Gardens today as part of his two day royal visit as well as Elderberries Drop-In Centre and attending a special garden party

The Prince of Wales has visited Alnwick Gardens, to first of all visit the 'Elderberries' drop-in centre that seeks to counteract loneliness in the community. His Royal Highness also attended the Lord-Lieutenant’s Garden Party for Volunteers and Carers at Alnwick Gardens and the Moorland Spirit Company Ltd’s Hepple Gin distillery where the company are undertaking a juniper restoration and propagation project. The visit takes place a week after his son, The Duke of Cambridge, visited Newcastle and Gateshead.

The Elderberries Drop-In Centre is a project conceived by the Duchess of Northumberland and was set up to combat loneliness in the local community. It is a relaxing environment for people over the age of fifty five to make new friends. It’s a free service and many members of the local community go on a weekly basis and bond over a cup of tea and a freshly baked cake.

HRH Prince Charles also attended a special garden party, hosted by the Duchess of Northumberland to recognise and thank the county’s carers and volunteers for their valuable contribution to the local community.

Charities and organisations represented this year include the Great North Air Ambulance, Tynedale Hospice at Home and SSAFA. The Duchess, in her role as Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland invited 250 volunteers and carers from across the county to attend with their partners or a guest. Now in its fifth year, the event is the biggest of its kind in the region.

Some people who met Prince Charles today were three sisters who have been coming to Alnwick Gardens for lunch for over 15 years.

They said: “Alnwick Gardens is such a restful place. If you’re stressed you can come in and walk around. Prince Charles was so lovely, it was as if you were a friend. We go to the Treehouse restaurant every week in the gardens and have chicken and chips. It is a lovely place to visit.”

The Prince of Wales took time to speak to as many guests as possible and the local community of Northumberland have been thrilled by his visit to the county.