King Charles III has lauded a 101-year-old D-Day veteran as "amazing" and humorously advised him to "keep drinking the whisky" during a recent visit to Lancashire.
The monarch met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception held at Lancaster Castle on Monday. The King recognised Mr. Brock from a previous encounter in Normandy last year.
Upon learning Mr. Brock's age, Charles exclaimed, "You are fantastic." As he departed, the King added with a smile, "Keep drinking the whisky."
Mr. Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, recounted the King's words: "He just told me I was amazing for my age."
His son, Tony Brock, who accompanied him to the reception, added, "He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it."
Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am, where he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds waving Union flags, some of whom had been waiting since 5 a.m. to catch a glimpse of the King.
Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting “Not my king” as he left his vehicle.
The group had a yellow banner which said “Abolish the Monarchy” and held signs saying “Not my King” and “Ditch the Duchies”.
Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home.
Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago.
She said: “I’ve seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.”
Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: “It was Barbara’s idea to come. We got here at 9am, we’ve had flasks of tea and croissants.”
Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015.
Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work.
He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers’ Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep’s cheese on a digestive biscuit.
He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any.
She said: “We’re going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.”
The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn.
Business owner Kate Makin said: “He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.”
Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role.
Mr Atkinson said: “He asked about my business and how I’m managing now, whether my job is full time.”
A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year.
He said: “They wouldn’t let me go, I was desperate to go there.”
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