A crowd of school children from Ysgol Solfach clamoured to greet the royal couple at Solva Woollen Mill, waving Welsh flags and cheering enthusiastically.

Charles and Camilla had come to the mill to see the rugs that they have had specially commissioned for their Welsh home in Llwynwermod.

The mill, run by Tom and Anna Grime, is one of the only two working Woollen mills in Pembrokeshire and celebrated its centenary last year.

The royal couple mingled with the small crowd outside the mill and talking to the school children about their studies and hobbies and, with Prince Charles asking the boys which positions they played in football.

Charles and Camilla then entered the grounds of the mill, meeting residents of the small hamlet of Middle Mill as well as friends and family of Tom and Anna.

Anna's nieces Eleanor and Francesca Hayward and Eve Prior presented Camilla with a bouquet of spring flowers and she complimented them on their lovely summer dresses.

"Tell the kids they did all right on the night," Camilla said to Anna's sister Philippa Hayward while Charles told Anna's mother "I am filled with admiration for your daughter".

The royal couple then stopped in the dappled shade next to the mill's recently restored water wheel admiring its workings before moving indoors to the warping stand and the loom where his actual rug was being woven.

Charles jumped at the chance to operate the loom and weave part of the regal red and cream carpet that will soon adorn the floor of his home in Carmarthen.

"He loved it," said Anna. "We offered him ear defenders but he turned them down and just got stuck in."

After admiring the rugs, tweed bags and woven shawls on display Charles and Camilla settled down to a nice cup of tea along with Welsh cakes and bara brith in the mill's tea room,and perusing a framed poem about the mill presented to them by poet Peter Hamilton.

"It was a bit surreal sitting down with Prince Charles drinking a cup of tea," said Tom. "He was very interested in what we are doing here and had ideas about tying it in with other agricultural projects he is involved in."

"I can't believe we were just sitting chatting comfortably," said Anna. "It was so relaxed and they were genuinely enthusiastic about what we are doing here. They were so lovely, warm and natural. This is a big day for Middle Mill."