Charles visits war graves and is challenged to go vegan during Athens trip

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall paid their respects to fallen soldiers as they visited the Commonwealth War Graves in Athens.

The couple were greeted by Captain Tim Ferns, the UK Defence Attache, veterans, guests and even vegan demonstrators.

Those gathered at the short ceremony observed a minute's silence after the sound of a trumpet before the prince laid a wreath on a tomb which read: "Their name liveth for evermore."

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves (Andrew Matthews/PA)
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Charles spoke to a 101-year-old war veteran, Themistocles Marinos MBE, who had received eight Greek medals, including a Gold Gallantry Cross, Military Cross and Distinguished Services Medal.

Mr Marinos spoke of his illustrious career in the armed forces, including his time with submarines, which led the prince to describe him as a "remarkable" man and to tell him he was "very proud".

Charles and Camilla try traditional Greek coffee (Chris Jackson/PA)
Charles and Camilla try traditional Greek coffee (Chris Jackson/PA)

Speaking of his age, Charles asked "is he really 101?" and added: "It must be the Greek sunshine."

But before his departure, Charles encountered a vegan group who displayed a banner which read: "Charles, go vegan. Compassion looks great on you", before chanting "please, Charles, please go vegan".

Camilla reads to schoolchildren (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Camilla reads to schoolchildren (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Prior to the ceremony, the couple stopped for refreshment during a walkabout in the Kapnikarea area of central Athens.

Despite drinking coffee like the locals, Charles refused a plastic straw due to his campaign to reduce plastic usage.

On Thursday morning, the prince was greeted by Archbishop Ieronymos II at the entrance of his palace.

Charles was urged to go vegan (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Charles was urged to go vegan (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Charles received a gift of an icon of the Virgin Mary and he presented the archbishop with a family photograph of himself and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The prince said: "I'm afraid my gift is very inadequate in return."

Charles receives a gift of an Icon of the Virgin Mary from His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Charles receives a gift of an Icon of the Virgin Mary from His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece (Andrew Matthews/PA)

In the afternoon, Camilla visited the Kaisariani Monastery where she read a passage from Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone to a group of schoolchildren.

When asked what her favourite book was, the duchess responded: "When I was very young, which was 100 years ago, I used to love the books of Rudyard Kipling."

Camilla during a visit to the Kaisariani Monastery (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Camilla during a visit to the Kaisariani Monastery (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The children then surprised the duchess by acting out the scene she had just read to them before handing her a painting they had done of the Hogwarts Express.

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