Prince Charles arrived in Switzerland on Thursday for a two-day official visit. The heir to the British throne is replying to an invitation extended by the Swiss President, Adolf Ogi, during a trip to London last April.

Prince Charles will start his visit with a tour of Berne's old town. On Friday, the prince will head off to the Kandertal in the Bernese Oberland.

He will get to see a biological farm, meet local farmers and be informed about cheese production. Ogi will also take Charles to his native village of Kandersteg to show him, among other things, a cheese shop and the local church.

Prince Charles will end his stay with a visit of the new alpine tunnel construction site at Mitholz in canton Berne.

Official visits to Switzerland by the British royal family are rather rare. Princess Anne represented the British crown at the ceremonies for the 150th anniversary of the modern Swiss state in 1998. Queen Elizabeth made a four-day state visit in 1980.

Private visits to Switzerland are more frequent. Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry visit canton Graubünden regularly for ski trips.

swissinfo with agencies

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