Thousands of people crammed into the tiny fishing village of Port Isaac on Tuesday to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles and Camilla.

Prince Charles spent more than an hour walking through the village before meeting the cast of TV’s Doc Martin at Nathan Outlaw’s restaurant.

The couple were serenaded by the popular sea-shanty singing group, The Fishermen’s Friends, and the Prince was escorted throughout his visit by local Cornwall Councillor Andy Penny.

The day began with a visit to the Port Isaac fish cellars, and then to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution headquarters opposite the village slipway, where the Prince was presented with a book marking the 150th anniversary of the local crew’s establishment.

Port Isaac RNLI President Bob Bulgin said: “It’s great to receive this Royal recognition for the work of the RNLI.”

Prince Charles was then introduced to the ladies of the Port Isaac Pilot Gig Association, who celebrate their own 25th anniversary this year.

While he was at the Port Isaac harbour, the Duchess of Cornwall was in the village hall to mark a special reception celebrating the relationship between local residents and some of the poorest children at the other end of Europe.

For several years, Port Isaac has been donating shoes, clothes, money and practical support to help ethnic minority children in Kosovo, one of the poorest countries in Europe.

The help from Cornwall has enabled children to get off the streets and into school.

Prince Charles meanwhile was walking up the hills of Port Isaac to rendezvous with his wife, chatting to local residents on his way.

The Prince joked to one visitor from Australia that Port Isaac was enjoying better weather than his native Adelaide.

Andy Penny pointed out local buildings of architectural interest. “It was an honour to escort the Prince around the village,” said Mr Penny. “No-one was more surprised than I was when I was asked to do it. I suppose I know most people and was able to make introductions where necessary — it’s certainly been a day to remember.”

The Royal tour ended in an appropriately glamorous fashion, at the restaurant of TV chef Nathan Outlaw with the cast of the TV comedy series Doc Martin, including its star Martin Clunes. Port Isaac is depicted as the programme’s fictitional location, Port Wenn.

With crowds still lining the streets and waving, the Royal couple then got into their cars and left for their next engagement, in Exeter.