The King called a 101-year-old D-Day veteran “amazing” in his latest public appearance – and told him to “keep drinking the whisky”.
The monarch attended a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday, where he met Richard Brock and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last May for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
After asking about the veteran’s age, the King said “you are fantastic”, and told him as he left: “Keep drinking the whisky.”
Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said the King “just told me I was amazing for my age”, while his son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, added: “He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.”
The King 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 in which Queen Elizabeth II participated in 2015.
Charles had arrived at the castle just before 11am to a crowd of well-wishers, and some anti-monarchy protesters who could be heard chanting “not my king” as he left his vehicle.
The republican group held a yellow banner which said “abolish the Monarchy” as well as signs saying “ditch the Duchies”.
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Inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the monarch spoke to soldiers on guard, school children and local business owners who were showcasing their work.
He told Gillian Hale, from Butlers’ Farmhouse Cheeses, of his love for cheese, particularly sheep’s cheese on a digestive biscuit.
He smelled some of the cheeses the businesswoman had on display but did not taste any.
Kate Makin, of Northern Yarn, who gave him a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen, said: “He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.”
Another who attended was Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority.
Mr Atkinson said the King asked about his business and how he was managing, since he took on the role of local authority leader.
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As he left the castle, the King greeted more wellwishers waiting outside including Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home.
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Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She got to shake the King’s hand as he left the castle and said afterwards he had not changed.
She said: “I’ve seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.”
Lyndsay Scott, a care home manager, said: “It was Barbara’s idea to come. We got here at 9am, we’ve had flasks of tea and croissants.”
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It comes after the King, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, said during a visit to Canada last month that the Commonwealth country would remain “strong and free”, as he became only the second monarch after his mother Queen Elizabeth II to set out the Canadian government’s legislative agenda.
