Prince of Wales visits Aberystwyth University, where he studied as a young man

Charles is officially opening the university’s new Veterinary Education Centre.

The Prince of Wales passes an animal skeleton during a visit to open Aberystwyth University’s new School of Veterinary Science at Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

The Prince of Wales has visited Aberystwyth University where he once was a student, to officially open the institute’s new Veterinary Education Centre.

Charles, an alumni of the university located on the west coast of Wales arrived just after midday on Friday to speak to the first cohort of veterinary students who began their studies in September this year.

He also unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the school.

Wearing a camel coloured coat and face mask from Turquoise Mountain, one of the charities he supports, Charles was greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards, the University’s chancellor, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, and vice chancellor Professor Elizabeth Treasure, along with other local dignitaries.

Charles arriving at Aberystwyth University for a nine-week course studying the Welsh language in 1969 (PA) (PA Wire)

The centre on the Penglais campus has been opened jointly with the Royal Veterinary College as Wales’ first and only School of Veterinary Science, and funded by £500,000 in donations from alumni.

Those who attend will spend the first two years at Aberystwyth University followed by three years at the Royal Veterinary College’s Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire.

They will also have the opportunity study specific areas of veterinary science through the medium of Welsh.

After touring the centre, he got the opportunity to sign the same visitors’ book he wrote in when he enrolled as a student in 1969.

Charles unveils a commemorative plaque to open Aberystwyth University’s new School of Veterinary Science (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

Gifts including Bara Brith tea bread, made by 15-year-old Aberystwyth resident Elin Gore, and pots of honey from bees that live on campus, were presented to him.

During his time in Aberystwyth, Charles learned Welsh, even giving his July 1969 investiture speech in the language.

Prior to the unveiling, Charles said: “I’m very glad indeed to have this opportunity of coming back to Aberystwyth. I have a horrifying feeling it’s 52 years since I was here. But I have very special memories of that time.

Charles talks to students in their first year at university (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

“I’m delighted to have a very small part to play in helping to open it (the school) having met some of the students and interrupted their studies most successfully.

“I do hope they will have great success in the future and the school will flourish.”

Vice chancellor Treasure said: “This has been a long time in the planning. Veterinary school this year, and a nursing school next year. Both will be hugely important for Wales.”

The Prince of Wales will also visit the family-run Hafod Hardware store on Friday afternoon to celebrate independent businesses and show support for the local high street.

Charles passes a life-size model of a horse (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

The shop is known for creating a Christmas advert that went viral in 2019, featuring four-year-old Arthur Jones who starred as the store manager. The video was watched almost three million times on YouTube.

The hardware store is one of the oldest businesses in Rhayader, dating back to 1895, and is now one of the “must-see” attractions of the town.