A former editor of the Worcester News has reflected upon the time when the now King Charles III visited the city to repay a 350-year-old debt.

The debt was run up by King Charles II in 1651 before the Battle of Worcester when he commissioned the Worcesters Clothiers Company to make uniforms for his troops.

He had promised to pay after winning the battle but ended up fleeing the country after Oliver Cromwell’s victory, leaving behind a debt of £453 and three shillings.

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On June 10, 2008, the then Prince of Wales visited the Commandery to repay the sum and also received an historic issue of Worcester News' sister paper, the Berrow’s Journal, as part of his visit.

Kevin Ward, editor at the time, recalls how he prepared for the visit.

“My abiding memory of the visit was the amount of time spent in preparation for the day,” he said.

“Those of us who were to meet Prince Charles took part in a series of meetings with his staff, the police, the local authorities and others in the lead-up to the event.

"At one of the preparatory meetings a representative from the Clothiers Company said they had worked out that, with inflation and interest, the debt now stood at more than £50,000.

“The Prince's representative gave a withering look over the top of her glasses and replied with a somewhat frosty 'don't be so ridiculous'!”

On the repayment itself, Mr Ward added: "Needless to say, the precise amount of £453 and three shillings was handed over, although Charles did refer to the fact that he was not paying interest on the debt because he 'wasn't born yesterday'.”

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Mr Ward’s role on the day, alongside the current editor of the Hereford Times John Wilson, was to speak with Charles about the history of the Berrow’s Journal.

"He was genuinely interested in what we had to say and engaged by the cuttings we showed him,” he added.

"I also spoke to him about a fund-raising campaign we were running at the time in aid of a charity that helped bereaved children.

“After I had explained what we were doing, he replied with a knowing look: 'Ah, the caring heart of the Press!'

“I suspect this comment had more to do with his experiences at the hands of the tabloids than anything the Worcester News or Berrow's Journal might have reported!"