The Prince of Wales said he was 'thrilled' by son Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle as he visited Poundbury yesterday.

As he arrived to officially open Damers First School, Prince Charles told reporters the news was “very good” and added: “Thrilled for them both. They’ll be very happy indeed.”

Clarence House announced the royal engagement yesterday morning and the official statement said: “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle.

“His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle’s parents." 

It added the wedding would take place in spring 2018.

The news came as Charles was in Poundbury visiting a school, a technology business and a retirement community. 

Poundbury appears to attract royal engagement news as Charles was also visiting the area on the day the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced their engagement in November, 2010. 

Yesterday, Charles visited Damers First School and met with teachers, pupils and governors to learn about their sustainability programmes.
The prince toured classrooms and saw children performing dance and drumming and dropped into the school's kitchen area where pupils were baking Dorset apple cake.

When speaking to the bakers he said the cooking looked "such fun" and joked: "No one’s cut their fingers off yet.”

The prince was met by a sea of waving Union flags and cheers as he officially 'opened' the school, revealing a specially-made plaque. 

The school moved to the new, purpose-built site in April.

Headteacher Catherine Smith addressed parents and pupils and said: "I would like to say thank you to the Prince of Wales for coming to the school. It feels like such a celebration and it's the icing on the cake after what has been a special year."

As a champion for sustainability, Charles took great interest in the eco-initiatives. 

The prince met with member of the school's Eco Club in their garden to learn about their sustainable projects. 

Eco Club member, Louis Silvester, aged six said: "He asked us about our refill Poundbury project where people can refill their water bottles in lots of places. He said it was a good idea - I bet he'd already heard about it."

The project aims to cut down the number of single use bottles in Poundbury and was launched by Damers eco club. 

Louis added the Prince of Wales asked him whether the students had helped build the garden and asked about their bottle greenhouse. 

"We told him it's made of 1,500 plastic bottles," Louis said. 

Student Sophie Taibjee, aged seven who is also in the eco club said it was very exciting to have the prince visit the school. 

While speaking with the students, Prince Charles congratulated eco club member, Nicholas Christian, aged seven, on his Blue Peter Badge. 

Nicholas was awarded the badge for writing about the eco club and their projects. 

The Prince of Wales then paid a visit to robotics company, Loop Technology and was shown 3D robot scanning and virtual reality in action.

Founder Alun Reece said: "We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness. It was a real honour to show him FibreEYE and HoloCell – both groundbreaking technologies where we've identified a need but as of yet nothing automated exists."

Mr Reece and his wife Samantha started the business from their living room and relocated the company to its current location in August 2016.

Mrs Reece's parents Linda and Graham Wilson spoke with Prince Charles and said the royal visit was 'absolutely a proud moment'. 

For his final royal engagement, the prince visited Bowes Lyon Court, an assisted living retirement community comprised of independently-owned properties.

He was cheered by staff and residents and was greeted by estate manager, Jan Skeemer, site manager Kevin Mayne, sales and marketing manager, Kim Caldwell and art club founder and resident, Rowena Hampton.

While touring the property, Charles met Lieutenant Commander Christopher Wilson, retired from the Royal Navy, and retired veterinary surgeon Brian Richmond who invited the prince to take a shot at snooker which His Royal Highness obliged – but failed to sink a ball with a near miss. 

He then visited members of the art club, swapping art and medium notes with residents - declaring himself a 'watercolour' man. 

Club founder Rowena Hampton joked with the prince when he asked if she painted daily and said: "Well not today as we've had a special visitor."

Finishing off his royal engagement, Charles posed for photographers in front of a special memorial plague made by Bowes Lyon Court to commemorate his visit.