Charles in dig at media while on Malmesbury visit

5:17pm Friday 21st November 2008

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The Prince of Wales visited Wiltshire today - and enjoyed a laugh at reporters' expense.

The Prince was opening a hi-tech care home in Malmesbury when he spotted seven reporters and their cameras respectfully tucked behind a glass-windowed partition.

Peering through at the throng, who had failed to get ahead of him though the corridor in time, he joked: "Are you in quarantine?"

Later in the tour of Athelstan House he talked to residents and took part in a beetle drive, throwing the dice for 90-year-old Betty Chaplin.

Mrs Chaplin, originally from North London, said: "He asked me if my bed was comfortable and said he'd have a cup of tea with me later. I've always loved royalty. He was wonderful and so natural."

Earlier in the tour of the 80-bed care home the Prince met retired quarry manager, Arthur Blott, 84, who showed him his new internet-enabled computer, with enlarged keys.

Formally opening the home, the Prince paid tribute to care workers saying: "I'm so pleased to have had this brief opportunity to see something of this marvellous residential home, and to the meet the residents and the caring staff who put so much effort and devotion into looking after everyone here."

The home, run by charity the Orders of St John Care Trust, is part of an ambitious campus complex built on the site of the former Malmesbury Community Hospital. Just yards away from the residential area are a pharmacy and a GPs' surgery, easily on hand.

John Thompson, Wiltshire county council cabinet member for community services, said: "I am delighted that HRH the Prince of Wales was able to officially open Athelstan House. Providing people with this sort of state-of-the-art accommodation will improve their quality of life."