Prince Charles was presented with a pair of decorative ballet shoes when he visited the Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park on Friday.

The Prince of Wales, who has been president of the Royal Ballet since 2003, toured the school before taking in a performance by the students and attending a reception with staff.

He was greeted by the Duchess of Wellington, who is the chair of the board of governors, and the school’s artistic director, Christopher Powney.

He then met the school’s head boy and girl, as well as 14-year-old Lydia Brayshaw, who gave a pair of pointe shoes to the Prince, telling him she made them for the Queen to mark her 90th birthday.

Lydia said: “Not many 14-year-olds can say they’ve met the Prince of Wales and given their pointe shoes to The Queen so it was a really big day for me.

“It’s definitely going in my diary. It was such a lovely experience.

“I never thought that I would ever meet him.

“He was a really genuine person who was really lovely to talk to and he took a real interest in my shoes and myself as a person.”

The Royal Ballet School, which shares the same charter as the Royal Ballet, is located in the heart of Richmond Park and teaches children aged between 11 and 16, who also board there.

Classical ballet is taught at the school, alongside traditional academic subjects.

Prince Charles observed pupils in a dance lesson, before popping in to an art class to admire the students’ work and speak with them.

He was then treated to a three-act performance, after which Prince Charles addressed the audience.

He said: “I have had the honour of being the president of this school for many years, although I cannot imagine why.

“I cannot tell you how much pleasure it gives me to see such talent developing here.”

In reference to recent cuts to the school’s grants from central government, which help the 89 per cent of pupils who receive support in paying fees, the Prince acknowledged the ‘difficult time’ endured by staff.

He said: “I have been so full of admiration for the way you have somehow managed through this difficult time.”

Senior school administrator Sheila Gresswell, who has worked at the Royal Ballet School for 26 years, said it was ‘incredibly special’ each time the Prince of Wales visited, with the last visit from a royal coming in 2006.

She said: “It has been a tough time – we’ve seen many staff members leave – but events like this give everyone a lift. It’s not just like any other day.”