Prince Charles called top heritage attraction Quarry Bank Mill ‘magical’ when he visited the Styal site and delighted eager crowds.
Members of the public waited patiently where they could among tight security for the Prince of Wales’ helicopter to arrive from Highgrove at the 18th century National Trust cotton mill.
Nervous volunteer gardeners and staff in 19th century bonnets and smocks were ready with their best royal hand shakes to greet the prince at the Apprentice House and Garden.
Apprentice House gardener Dot Wilson said she was looking forward to showing the National Trust president the work they had done since his last visit in 1995. "I hope he likes it,"she said.
Dressed in a grey double-breasted suit, the royal visitor met dignitaries including Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs MBE, Cheshire East Council mayor Gordon Baxendale and chief executive Erika Wenzel.
He then met the gardeners, asking whether they suffered back and knee problems from gardening.
Dot Wilson said: "He told us he has a bad back and has to kneel when he gardens."
The prince was greeted at the house by Styal Primary School children in Victorian costume.
They chorused: "Welcome to Apprentice House your highness!" and acted out a Victorian classroom scene.
Pupil James Darroch, 10, from Handforth, said: "Prince Charles was very nice, it was really exciting to meet him– I like his helicopter!"
Heritage manager Amanda Lunt, who accompanied the prince on his tour of the site, said the prince told her he liked the way they were keeping the site’s traditions alive.
She said: "He kept using the word magical.
"He has not visited since we acquired Quarry Bank House and garden and was complimentary about the work we’ve been doing.
"The Prince’s Regeneration Trust is involved in regenerating old mills and he was keen to see our working mill and meet the engineers."
Head gardener Alan Knapper showed the prince around the valley garden which was acquired by the Trust four years ago with Quarry Bank House, originally owned by mill owner Samual Greg and his family.
The prince was shown the mill’s working spinning mules by chief engineer Barry Cook before touring the Water Force Gallery and Power Gallery.
As he left the mill, crowds armed with cameras waited for a glimpse of the prince and he didn’t disappoint, chatting to visitors who cheered as he was whisked off to his engagement at the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Manchester.
