Prince Charles greets crowds as he officially opens Hay Castle

Prince Charles, who's the Prince of Wales, has been in Hay-on-Wye today (Thursday) to officially open the castle which can now be visited by the public for the first time in its 900-year history.

Opening in May to coincide with the Hay Festival, the world-renowned literary event, the official opening saw The Prince of Wales arrive in the Market Square, welcomed by the sound of Brecon Town Band.

The Prince of Wales arrives to officially opens Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wye. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA Wire.

The Prince of Wales meets with members of the public during a visit to Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wye. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA Wire.

He greeted the crowds of well-wishers, waving as people young and old turned out to catch a glimpse.

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He then climbed the stairs to the main gate, where he will hear from a timber conservationist about the recent restoration works before opening the gate and thereby officially opening the refurbished castle.

The Prince of Wales meets with members of the public during a visit to Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wy. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA Wire.

The Prince of Wales meets with members of the public during a visit to Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wye. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA Wire.

He entered the castle and toured the Portraits of Writers display, visited the Clore Learning Space and Reading Room, tried his hand on the 1856 letterpress and climbed to the viewing platform with views across the Powys town and surrounding countryside.

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As the sun shone on the Herefordshire-Powys border, he met the Hay Castle Trust team, architects, trustees, donors, volunteers, children that use the space.

The Prince of Wales officially open Hay Castle by pushing open the oldest gate in situ in the UK in Hay-on-Wye. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA Wire.

Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales which was visited by the Prince of Wales. Picture : Chris Jackson/PA Wire.

Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, foundations and individual donors, the town now has an important heritage destination, a vibrant new centre for learning and the arts, and a space for the community to come together, Clarence House said.