Fine weather and a beaming crowd welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Castle Drive, Falmouth today.

There to greet the royal couple amidst a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere were chief coastguard Rod Johnson, regional director for Wales and the west of England Chris Thomas, rescue co-ordination centre manager for Falmouth Simon Rabett, and coastal safety manager for the South West coastguard area, Helen Hutson.

Seven-year-old Chloe Oliver, a pupil at St Hilary Primary School in Praa Sands, was also there to present the Duke and Duchess with a posy of flowers, after winning a school competition to meet Charles and Camilla.

The Duchess looked coolly elegant in a pale blue skirt suit with beige leather shoes and matching handbag, and appeared to be comfortable meeting people alongside her husband.

The couple spent some time talking to officers and members of the public in the control room of the coastguard building, before being introduced to watch manager Andy Cattrell. They also spoke to officers at their stations.

After signing the register the Duke and Duchess presented an award an award to Colin Sturman, the retired area operation manager for the south west of England, for his "outstanding contribution to maritime search and rescue", during 36 years working for the coastguard.