King acknowledges ‘battle’ to keep traditional crafts alive

The King has spoken about the “battle” to maintain “timeless skills” as he met artists and craftspeople working to keep traditional crafts alive.

Charles enjoyed a “Crafts at Christmas” event showcasing painting, millinery and embroidery created by tutors and students from the King’s Foundation’s education programmes.

The King speaking to two young women showing him hats they created
Charles speaks to millinery students from the King’s Foundation’s (Chris Jackson/PA)

After hanging a bauble on a Christmas tree outside the Orchard Room, an events space in the grounds of his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire, Charles said: “It’s really trying to maintain the timeless skills, which are always needed really, whatever age we’re in.

“They are all rather disappearing, the battle is trying to keep all the special ones.”

The King laughs with an artist showcasing her work
Charles said: ‘It’s really trying to maintain the timeless skills’ (Chris Jackson/PA)

She said afterwards: “The King was talking about bringing crafts back to the UK and he said he was excited at the prospect.”

Charles talks with a blacksmith while admiring his work
Charles talks with a blacksmith while admiring his work (Chris Jackson/PA)

The King smells the roasted chestnuts handed to him by vendor Paul Venn
The King smells the roasted chestnuts handed to him by vendor Paul Venn (Chris Jackson/PA)

Outside, Charles heard carols sung by members of Rock Choir and was handed a cone of roasted chestnuts by vendor Paul Venn.

Mr Venn said: “When I handed him the nuts he says he loves them, but he ate so many when he was young he couldn’t eat another.”

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