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Charles and Camilla met with torrential rain on visit to St Kitts and Nevis

Prince Charles and Camilla were met with torrential rain during their visit to the sunshine islands of St Kitts and Nevis.

Governor General’s receptions on both islands were washouts and Prince Charles was forced to cut short his visit to historic Brimstone Fort on St Kitts due to the heavy rain.

Instead of spectacular views of the island and natural park, little could be seen beyond the thick great cloud.

He did, however, stop to speak to several large crowds of soaking well-wishers who had waited to see him.

One woman gave him a book of food and drink recipes. "Are these the ones that blow your head off?" Charles joked.

He also laughed when he was told by one man that he wished he could "live forever". "I rather hope not," the 70-year-old royal chuckled.

Prince Charles greets Children in Brimstone Hill Fort, St Kitts (Getty Images)
Prince Charles greets Children in Brimstone Hill Fort, St Kitts (Getty Images)

Charles was introduced to a group of Nevis schoolgirls at the first reception at Government House from sixth Form College who had just won an international debating award.

He asked the girls: "Is it just a natural talent? What were you debating and do you get to choose your subjects?" The girls told him that they had been debating LGBTQ issues. He commended them and added jokingly that he hoped it wouldn't get in the way of their work and exams.

One young fan very eager to meet the Prince was Junior Persaud, who turned nine today. Thoughtful aides noticed his special birthday badge and nudged the Prince in his direction.

The Prince wished him happy birthday and asked how old he was. He enquired: "Will you be having a birthday cake? What's your favourite kind of cake?" Junior replied that it was Red Velvet, to which Charles nodded approvingly.

Later the Prince met Dahlia Joseph-Rowe, who is the President for the St Nevis and Kitts Bar Association. He asked her, 'do you have enough solicitors and barristers over here,' before joking to her husband about whether he ever got to see her.

The couple stood and listened to a special song by the Bath Village Community Tourism Foundation choir, which had been written especially for them. Featuring lyrics describing some of the inspirational figures, the chorus went: "Nevis lovely Nevis, the land of people smiling."

They also enjoyed a dazzling performance from the Combine Masquerade featuring dancers wearing multicoloured ribbons and peacock feathers.

The Charlestown Primary School Steel Orchestra played music in the background throughout the visit.