PRINCE Charles and Camilla were shown round a “stinky” pig sty today when they came down to London’s East End to see how farmyard technology is helping shape the future. The royal couple looked in on Hackney City Farm where they discussed sustainable bio-fuels with volunteers before schoolkids showed them round the animal pens

ABOVE: A little girl meets a prince—and shows him her favourite farm animals...

BELOW: Charles walks smartly past the stinky’ pig sty (left) as the royal couple (right) meet staff and farm volunteers...

By Victoria Huntley, Pictures: Joe Lord

PRINCE Charles and Camilla were shown round a “stinky” pig sty today (Wednesday) when they came down to London’s East End to see how farmyard technology is helping shape the future.

The royal couple looked in on Hackney City Farm at Shoreditch where they discussed sustainable bio-fuels with volunteers and watched a TV powered by a small electric generator worked by pedal bike.

They were then shown round the animal pens by children from nearby Seabright primary school who were also visiting the farmyard.

NO INHIBITIONS

The six and seven-year-olds took the royals to see the pig style and explained it was “really stinky.”

They had no inhibitions. Charles laughed.

Their teacher Jennifer Hand said: “They acted completely naturally and were joking how fat the pig was and how much it smelt.”

WELLIES AND JUMPERS

Charles and his Duchess were shown around by farm manager Chris Pound in his wellies and green jumper, his everyday working togs.

No-one dressed up for the royal occasion. It was a typical day down at the farm and the Prince and Camilla just fitted in with the animals’ daily routine.

Charles, who is patron of the Federation of City Farms, was especially interested in plant-life at the farm.

ROYAL APPROVAL

Camilla, dressed in dark blue skirt and jacket suit, but no hat, sported an I Love Hackney’ badge given to her by Hackney Council’s speaker Ian Rathbone who accompanied the royals on their three-hour tour.

“This visit is a real boost to us,” he said later. “Recognition like this is a royal stamp of approval.”

The farm in Hackney Road was a derelict site just 25 years ago—but today it’s a thriving centre of agriculture and bio-fuel technology in the heart of urban London.