Prince Charles fashions balloon crown during college visit

The Prince of Wales was hailed as a future "king of balloon making" after he created his very own crown, from a balloon.

When Charles joined a group of Jewish school children making balloon toys for youngsters with serious illnesses he did not need to be asked twice when offered a chair and a long thin blue balloon.

The heir to the throne wrapped it around his head to make sure it fitted, then expertly twisted the ends together under the guidance of Rabbi Avrohom Zeidman.

Around him the pupils from Yavneh College, a Jewish school in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, were sat in a circle busily working away on their crowns.

When he completed the final twist and was left holding the finished head piece Charles smiled and laughed.

Rabbi Zeidman, who is a senior educator with the charity Gift (Give It Forward Today), said: "I think this is an excellent royal crown. I will definitely give this to someone saying it was made by the Prince."

Gift encourages young people to get involved with volunteering and social action and the balloons will be donated to Camp Simcha, a charity which works to improve the quality of life for children with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

The Rabbi added: "I think the Prince was great, after one or two more hours practice he would be king of balloon making."