THE Prince of Wales visited a remote community today to retrace the footsteps his mother took during her royal tour more than 50 years ago.

Prince Charles met islanders on Lindisfarne, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland – some of whom met the Queen on her 1958 visit – and traced the route she took around part of the island.

He was shown around historic buildings, including Lindisfarne Castle and the Priory, during his first visit to the Northumbrian coast.

Margaret Devine, who presented the Queen with a locally-made clay bowl during her 1958 visit, was among the crowds who turned out to meet Charles.

She said: “I felt very nervous back then, just like I was feeling today.

“The bowl was a gift from the school and I was the head girl.

“The Queen said at the time ‘I’d love to bring my children to the island’. Hopefully, the next generation of royals will come too and it will carry on.”

The Prince started his visit by climbing the steep cobbled path to the entrance of Lindisfarne Castle, which sits high on a mound overlooking the sea.

As the sun broke through the cloud, he donned a pair of sunglasses to take in the coastal views from the building’s upper battery.

He was shown round each room by property manager Simon Lee.

“It’s been great,” Mr Lee said. “He was really interested in the architecture and he was particularly keen to see the garden.”

Castle gardener Philippa Hodkinson said: “He was very keen and I think he knew most of the plants. I was nervous, but he really put me at ease.”

The visit is part of Charles’ two-day trip round the county, which saw him mingle with residents in Amble and meet servicemen and women who are monitoring the airspace above the Olympic Games at RAF Boulmer, near Alnwick.

He also raised a glass and enjoyed banter when he dropped in to a historic pub in the coastal town of Seahouses.

Landlord Alan Glen, whose family has run the Olde Ship pub for four generations, said: “We’ve had a few TV and film celebrities in over the years but this was the crowning glory.”

The Prince of Wales also visited Seahouses lifeboat station.