Locals near monarch's Carmarthenshire estate tell of King's kindness and humility
King Charles made a secret life-saving donation to help his neighbouring villagers at his hideaway Welsh home, it has been revealed.
The "no fuss" King paid for a defibrillator to be installed at the village hall close to his country estate deep in the hills of southwest Wales.
He also anonymously handed over gifts for the Christmas Fayre in the historic village of Myddfai, population 400, where he spends summer breaks with wife Camilla.
His acts of kindness in the tiny village near the Brecon Beacons were revealed before the King travels to Wales on Friday for services in the capital of Cardiff.
The historic village 60 miles away from the capital is proud to boast that one of its 400 residents is now King.
Charles has quietly taken an active part in village life by attending local church services and speaking to his neighbours – but all done privately and without fanfare.
Carol Dyer, chair of Myddfai Community Council, said: "When he is down here he has been known to go to church on a Sunday morning, and when he first moved to the area he would have an evening to meet the locals.
"It’s quite difficult to say how many times a year he comes here because it’s a very private location and because it’s a private location and a private residence for him, the people of Myddfai have really respected that.
"One member of the council would take him around to meet everyone, and another would take Camilla around. It’s always been very impressive how he talks to people.
"Once the initial introduction has been made he would speak to anyone, and he’s very good at it, Camilla too.
"Many, many people here have had the opportunity to meet him over the years. He came to the old village hall and was really and genuinely pleased to be there to meet people, and he then officially opened the new hall."
One villager, who asked not to be named, told how Charles had donated prizes to the Christmas Fayre, merchandise sold by the Duchy of Cornwall, and also handed over a life-saving defibrillator for the village hall worth more than £1,000.
Mrs Dyer said: "He gifted the defibrillator to the village and the community then arranged for it to be fitted to the wall. It was very generous."
Mrs Dyer said she hoped the new King would continue to visit the village, where the mythic tale of the Lady of the Lake is said to have originated.
"All I would wish for him is that he does continue to have a level of privacy, wherever he goes," she said.
"I hope he can still come to Myddfai – he’s always seemed like a person who wants to do his own thing, but I suppose things have really changed now with him being King, and we’re not sure what will happen.
"It’s even a bit strange calling him King Charles, because everyone here has come to know him as The Prince!"
In the mid-2000s, the couple were on the hunt for a base for their many visits to Wales. Due to its quiet nature and rich history, the then Prince made an offer in late 2006 on the Llwynywermod estate, around a mile away from Myddfai.
The 90-acre property was purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall for approximately £1.2million and can be rented out for holiday breaks when the couple are away.
The King would attend services at St Michael’s and All Angels church three to four times a year, taking his place on a pew just like any other worshipper.
Church warden Judith McSwiney said: "We have very much enjoyed having him. Whenever he has been here he often comes to the church.
"He’s no different to anyone else. We meet him at the gates and then we all enjoy a perfectly normal service, and it’s always lovely to welcome him."
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