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The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have visited an Asda distribution centre to thank staff who have worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Charles, 71, and Camilla, 72, met some of the 700 workers at the Asda centre in Bristol on Thursday, as well as drivers and those based at nearby stores.
Staff told how they had returned from retirement, worked extra hours and different shift patterns, and had postponed holidays to cope with increased demand at supermarkets.
The event took place in a marquee outside the main building, with people keeping two metres apart to maintain social distancing.
Prince Charles, 71, and Camilla (pictured), 72, visited an Asda Distribution Centre in Bristol today as they slowly return to royal engagements amid the pandemic
The Prince of Wales, President of Business in the Community, along with Camilla (pictured), thanked staff who have kept the country’s vital food supplies moving throughout the coronavirus pandemic
The royal couple unveiled a plaque to mark their visit to the distribution centre in Bristol today (pictured)
Camilla cut a stylish figure in a timeless cream dress and jacket, which she coordinated with a matching scarf and camel-coloured shoes.
She accessorised with a pair of dangling pearl earrings and completed the look with a couple of dainty gold bracelets.
Chris Tilly, 48, general manager of the distribution centre, said work had been ‘really, really challenging,’ but added: ‘We’ve had a lot of support from colleagues right across the business working extra hours, extra shifts to keep the shelves filled for customers.’
He continued: ‘I think it is fantastic that the prince and duchess have taken the time out to come to the distribution centre and meet colleagues.
‘Every single colleague that they saw they thanked for what they had done during the last 14 weeks, which I was truly humbled by.
‘They were really interested in what the colleagues did within Asda, how long they had worked for us and just wanted to know how they had been doing while working through the pandemic.’
The Duchess of Cornwall used her signature socially-distant greeting as she arrived alongside Prince Charles (pictured)
Camilla (pictured) cut a stylish figure in a timeless cream dress and jacket, which she coordinated with a matching scarf
In the background, a banner could be seen which read: ‘A massive thanks to all of our key worker colleagues for their great work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured, Charles and Camilla
Staff told the royal couple how they had worked extra hours and different shift patterns, as well as postponing holidays, to cope with increased demand. Pictured, Camilla
During the visit, the Prince of Wales (pictured) thanked staff who have kept the country’s vital food supplies moving throughout the coronavirus pandemic
Charles donned a smart grey suit which he paired with a light blue shirt and dark blue, patterned tie. Pictured, with Camilla
Asda has been working with the prince’s Business in the Community initiative, as well as charity partners FareShare and the Trussell Trust.
Richard Sigward, 74, a warehouse operator, has been working for Asda for 17 years and told the couple that he refuses to retire.
‘The duchess was saying to me she definitely agrees that if people can work and are happy to do it, they should carry on,’ he said.
‘She said she refuses to retire herself. The prince was the same.’
The royal couple also visited the Turnbull & Asser shirt factory, where staff switched their entire production line to make scrubs for the NHS in the early stages of the pandemic.
The royal duo (pictured, together) have been slowly returning to public duties as lockdown restrictions have been relaxed
The couple met some of the 700 workers at the Asda centre, as well as drivers and those based at nearby stores. Pictured, Prince Charles
During the visit, Camilla and Charles (pictured), along with the employees, ensured they adhered to social distancing rules
The event took place in a marquee outside the building, with people keeping two metres apart. Pictured, the Duchess of Cornwall speaking with staff
Turnbull & Asser, which was founded in 1885 and makes luxurious shirts and ties for many famous clients including the prince himself, hired new machines and produced medical-grade NHS scrubs for eight weeks.
Charles and Camilla’s visit was held in the car park of the company’s factory in the Quedgeley area of Gloucester.
The prince revealed that he had been involved in the effort, saying: ‘Was it a very busy time trying to make these scrubs? You kept up with demand? Brilliant.
‘It made such a difference and it made such a difference to the local GP as I managed to put them in touch with your beautifully made scrubs.’
Duchess of Cornwall speaks to a worker during a visit with Prince Charles to the Turnbull & Asser shirt factory in Gloucester
Camilla speaks to a worker during a visit with Prince Charles to the Turnbull & Asser shirt factory in Gloucester today
During the early stages of the Coronavirus pandemic the company switched their entire production line to making scrubs for the NHS. Pictured, Camilla smiling
Prince Charles and Camilla (pictured) visited the shirt factory which hired new machines and produced medical-grade NHS scrubs for eight weeks amid the COVID-19 crisis
Charles and Camilla’s visit was held in the car park of the company’s factory in the Quedgeley area of Gloucester. Pictured, together
Turnbull & Asser, which was founded in 1885, makes luxurious shirts and ties for many famous clients including the prince himself (pictured)
The Prince of Wales (pictured, speaking to staff) revealed he had been involved in the effort of making scrubs for the NHS, saying: ‘Was it a very busy time trying to make these scrubs? You kept up with demand? Brilliant’
The royal couple visited the Turnbull & Asser shirt factory for their second engagement of the day. Pictured, Camilla
Speaking to staff at the shirt factory who helped to make scrubs amid the global crisis, Prince Charles (pictured) said: ‘it made such a difference to the local GP as I managed to put them in touch with your beautifully made scrubs’
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shirt manufacturer switched their entire production line to making scrubs for Britain’s NHS. Pictured, Prince Charles
Duchess of Cornwall gives a socially distanced greeting as she steps out of the car alongside Prince Charles in Gloucester
Camilla waves from the front seat of a car following a visit with Prince Charles to the shirt factory
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