The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall took a tour around Humble by Nature in Penallt, near Monmouth, earlier today.

Kate Humble, who bought the farm with husband Ludo Graham and launched the community project there, said: “We are over the moon that their Royal Highnesses were able to find time in their packed schedule. It was a great honour to have them here.”

She added: “We forget what a massive contribution [Prince Charles] has made. I have always been a great admirer of his fearlessness and pioneering spirit.

“This is very much a community effort. Everyone who works with us is local and has been part of the journey. It has got this far because of people who are involved and it was really nice to meet very like minded human beings.

“What was really enjoyable was how much they were interested in what people were doing.”

During the royals' visit, Prince Charles tried fire lighting with schoolchildren from Trellech Primary School, met beekeepers and toured a passive solar greenhouse. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, aubergines and cucumbers are grown inside it along with about 400 tilapia fish. They are later cooked in the farm’s cafe.

They were welcomed to the farm after flying in by royal helicopter by Monmouthshire politicians including MP David Davies, AM Nick Ramsay and the county council’s chairman Cllr Brian Strong.

The prince also met Skenfrith cider maker Ben Culpin from the Apple County Cider Company and said he enjoyed his lightly sparkling single perry.

Mr Culpin said: “He came across as a very down to earth person who is very passionate about farming and obviously a big fan of what is being done here.

“It was an absolute honour to meet him and Camilla but it was even more of an honour that he seemed to really enjoy my new cider.”

At the end of their tour Prince Charles unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit and the duchess received a bouquet of wildflowers from schoolgirls Bella Beeby and Rosiemae Ryder, both nine.