Crowds welcome Prince Charles as he goes walkabout in Bedford town centre

Hundreds of people were waiting in Bedford’s Market Square and High Street to greet Prince Charles as made a walkabout during his visit to the town.

The Prince had just left the Higgins to make the short walk along Castle Lane, arriving to the delight of crowds in the town centre.

Schoolchildren waved Union Flags as the Prince emerged from the narrow lane to the wellwishers cheering in the High Street.

He made a short walk across the Market Square, stopping to meet excited schoolchildren and local residents.

A group of pupils from Rushmoor School in Bedford were determined to meet Prince Charles!

One of them, Oliver Mansell, aged 9, said: “He asked us if we get loads of homework - we said no, and he said yes.”

Among a number of residents to meet him, the Prince stopped to talk to Pamela and Raffaele Santoriello, from Bedford, who were on the Market Square waiting to see him.

Pamela said: “I just said ‘welcome to Bedford’ and he asked if we were long time citizens of the town, and I said yes I am.”

Leaving the Market Square, Prince Charles walked along to St Paul’s Church where more crowds were waiting to greet him as he made his way to tour the Christmas Tree Festival.