Would one prefer a Biro? A dapper-looking Prince Charles tries his hand at engraving letters during a visit to the Art Workers' Guild in London
- Charles enjoyed a tour of the Art Workers' Guild in central London this morning
- Prince of Wales, who turns 70 this year, looked smart in a pin-striped navy suit
- After chatting with engravers at the Guild, he tried his hand at letter cutting
- THe royal unveiled a plaque to mark completion of the Guild's Courtyard Project
The Prince of Wales gamely tried his hand at engraving today during a visit to the Art Workers' Guild in London - but was left clenching his teeth in frustration.
Prince Charles, who celebrates his 70th birthday this year, was seen having a go at the centuries-old craft as he toured the guild's historic building.
Looking dapper in a navy pinstripe suit, with a co-coordinating tie and pocket-chief, the prince couldn't stifle his laughter as he struggled to carve out an 'S' in slate.
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It's not as easy as it looks you know! Prince Charles chuckles as he has a go at letter engraving during a visit to the Art Workers' Guild in London
Using traditional craftsmen tools, the Prince appeared to struggle as he had a go at etching out a word on the piece of stone
A very regal 'S': Prince Charles' handiwork will stay forever ingrained in the slate plaque, which read 'Hasten Slowly'
Give it some vigour! Charles, who celebrates his 70th birthday this year, clenches his teeth as he tries to make an indent in the stone
Ink-eresting! Charles looked captivated as he listened to the young artist explain his craft
Visiting the historic building in Holborn, central London, the Prince met with some of the Guild's artists, craftspeople and architects.
When asked to try his hand at letter cutting - engraving the words 'Hasten Slowly' onto grey slate - Charles readily took the tools.
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However, several minutes in, the royal looked exasperated by his efforts and dissolved into giggles as he tried to make his royal mark.
With clenched teeth, he eventually appeared to get to grips with the craft.
The Guild represents over 60 creative disciplines, some of which the Prince learned about.
The Art Workers' Guild was originally founded in 1884 by artists who wanted to create a meeting place for the fine arts and the applied arts to congregated on an equal footing.
An artist working in glass chats to the Prince of Wales about some of the pieces she's created
A craftsmen explains the centuries-old art of letter cutting as the Prince enjoyed a tour of the historical London building
Charles' shakes the hands of some of the Guild members; the organisation was founded in 1884
Created as a meeting place for people involved in fine arts, the Guild is now nearly 125 years old
A keen artist himself, the Prince looked animated as he chatted about some of the 60 disciplines that the Guild covers
The prince examined a card featuring a delicate paper cut-out of Tower Bridge
A red velvet cloth protects a plaque created to mark the end of the Guild's three-year renovations
A wooden plaque - engraved of course - is unveiled by Charles to commemorate the completion of the Courtyard Project, which improved disabled access at the building and increased space in the courtyard
The Prince of Wales carefully reads the words on the plaque which thanks donors for helping the Guild finish the project, which began in 2015
Charles was fresh from The Prince's Trust awards, where he was joined by a host of celebrity ambassadors to honour young children.
The Prince was on sparkling form at the awards and even poked fun at pop star Cheryl during the awards.
The royal joked about his celebrity companion's ever-changing surname during his speech at the Prince's Trust awards on Tuesday.
During his speech where he thanked celebrity ambassadors for their work the Prince of Wales playfully asked 'who's Cheryl Tweedy?' leaving the audience in stitches.
Taking to stage at the London Palladium he said: 'I am also so grateful for all the celebrity ambassadors who I'm sure you realise by now make such a huge difference to what we can do to inspire and motivate young people.'
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