King Charles has stepped out for a royal engagement just hours after Prince William and the Princess of Wales issued a statement outlining their deep concern regarding the Epstein files.
The King arrived at Clitheroe Station today, where he was welcomed by local dignitaries and members of the public before making his way to the town's historic auction mart.
Rod Spence, who chairs Clitheroe Auction Mart, greeted His Majesty at the venue, which was not holding trading activities during the royal visit.
The engagement saw the monarch explore the livestock facilities, where he encountered farmers and examined rare breed sheep and cattle, before proceeding to the Rural Business Centre.
King Charles has stepped out for a royal engagement just hours after Prince William and the Princess of Wales issued a statement outlining their deep concern regarding the Epstein files.
|PA
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The King also spent time with rural charitable groups operating from the mart and was introduced to Pearl, a Fell pony with a connection to the late Queen's pony Emma.
During his tour of the livestock area, the King viewed several native sheep varieties, among them the Long, a robust breed with deep roots in Lancashire's agricultural heritage, and the Derbyshire Gritstone.
The King, who serves as Patron of The Rare Breed Survival Trust, continued through the cattle pens where he engaged with both established farmers and younger members of the agricultural community.
Young Farmers' Clubs, which cater to individuals between 10 and 28 years old, offer their members chances to build skills, participate in competitions and strengthen ties with their local communities.
The King arrived at Clitheroe Station today, where he was welcomed by local dignitaries and members of the public before making his way to the town's historic auction mart.
|PA
The Rural Business Centre, designed to give local farmers easy access to professional expertise ranging from land agents to financial advisers and legal practitioners, formed another key stop on the royal itinerary.
King Charles met with those responsible for delivering these support services to the agricultural community.
The King also encountered members of Lancashire Police's rural team, one of the country's largest, with more than 30 officers working across five specialist units to protect farms, livestock and equipment.
Representatives from Field Nurses, a charity established in 2016, were among those presented to the monarch. The organisation deploys experienced registered nurses to run drop-in sessions at livestock marts throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria, providing health checks and mental wellbeing support to those working in rural areas.
King Charles met with those responsible for delivering these support services to the agricultural community.
|PA
In the Auction Ring, His Majesty was introduced to Pearl, a Fell pony whose lineage connects to Emma, a pony once owned by Queen Elizabeth II.
The visit concluded with the King unveiling a commemorative plaque, followed by an address from the Auction Mart's chairman.
Clitheroe's association with livestock trading stretches back more than five centuries to at least 1499, establishing the town as a longstanding hub for farming and rural commerce in the region.
The auction mart company was formally founded in 1897 to serve the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland, relocating to its current purpose-built premises on Lincoln Way in 1987.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter