Prince Charles has said he is "coming towards the end" after revealing his son, Prince William, will take over the mantle of Duke of Cornwall once he becomes king.
The Prince of Wales spoke at a garden party marking his 70th anniversary as the head of the Duchy of Cornwall, where he told attendees that he is "coming towards the end of my time".
He said: “I have paid innumerable visits to Duchy farms which I have seen evolve over the generation.
“Having started with the grandfathers 53 years ago, I am now coming towards the end of my time with the grandsons and granddaughters.”
Charles added: “I cannot help but feel the most overwhelming gratitude for all those who have gone before us and whose careful and devoted stewardship has bequeathed to us the Duchy which it has been my privilege to serve for these seventy years.
The Prince of Wales spoke at a garden about about 'coming towards the end'.
Jane Barlow
“Now, as I find myself in the somewhat unnerving position of being the longest serving Duke since 1337, I can only hope that the changes I have made mean it will be in even better shape for those who come after me.”
The Prince of Wales has been a long-term advocate for action on tackling climate change.
Hugh Hastings
He made the appearance during a three-day tour of the south-west of England.
After the Queen was forced to withdraw from the opening of Parliament in May due to health issues, Charles took centre stage and got a taste for what it is like to be monarch.
The Prince of Wales stepped in to read the Government's legislative agenda at Westminster Palace in what was the first time he stepped in to complete a major constitutional duty.
Charles also used the trip to highlight the need to tackle climate change, issuing a warning about the "alarming" temperatures the UK is currently experiencing.
While speaking at an open-air event to mark his 70 years as Duke of Cornwall, Charles said national commitments to reach net zero have “never been more vitally important”.
The nation is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with thermometers passing 38C, resulting in school closures, train services being cut and ambulance crews facing rising numbers of 999 calls.
Charles has long campaigned on environmental issues and last autumn told Cop26, the UN climate change summit, the world has had enough of talking and commitments need to be put into practice.
Speaking at the end of a garden party in the grounds of Boconnoc House near Plymouth, the prince said: “If I may so say, those commitments around net zero have never been more vitally important as we all swelter under today’s alarming record temperatures across Britain and Europe.
“As I have tried to indicate for quite some time, the climate crisis really is a genuine emergency and tackling it is utterly essential – for Cornwall, the country and the rest of the world.”
Prince Charles shakes hands with a guest during the garden party.
Chris Jackson
