King Charles has 'rough' skin 'like a proper worker who does things with his hands', according to a royal fan who shook hands with the monarch in Guernsey

As King Charles undertook a walkabout in Guernsey today, royal fans who had queued up to meet the monarch and shake his hand were full of praise for him - although a couple of people who met the 74-year-old royal paid him an unusual compliment.

Jacquie Gordon, 56, a resident of the Channel Island, said she thought the King presented himself as a 'proper worker' thanks to his 'rough' hands.

She said: 'I shook the King's hand and it was rough, like a proper worker who does things with his hands.'

Another royal fan, Christine Morton, 75, added: 'Yes, he has a proper handshake, which I like.'

King Charles was paid an unlikely compliment by a royal fan today who said he had 'rough hands' that suggested he was a 'real worker' during his visit with Queen Camilla to Guernsey (pictured today)

The monarch has, no doubt, perfected his handshake over the years after decades of meeting members of the public in walkabouts - however Charles may feel especially pleased with such feedback given he has previously been mocked over the appearance of his hands; specifically, his so-called 'sausage fingers'.

However, it seems the people of Guernsey were on board with the monarch's strong handshake today as they met him during the walkabout on their second day in the Channel Islands. 

It seems the King and Queen were a hit all around, as royal fans were delighted to meet Their Majesties.

King Charles has no doubt spent decades perfecting his handshake as he meets people from all around the world, but today he was complimented on his strong grip

Barrie Ainsworth, who is 80 today, was wished a happy birthday by the King after being made aware that the Guernsey resident was marking a special milestone.

The King told Mr Ainsworth, who had come out to see the King with his family, said: 'I hope they're looking after you. Make sure you have a very enjoyable day.'

Brenda Ainsworth, Mr Ainsworth's daughter-in-law, wished the Queen 'a happy birthday for tomorrow' when Camilla will celebrate her 77th birthday.

The Queen replied: 'Thank you. Sometimes you ought to forget them!'

The King stopped to speak to a group of medical students who have come to Guernsey as part of their studies, telling them that they were 'desperately needed'.

Ivana Barbalich, 23, a medical student on an overseas elective from her native New Zealand, said: 'I said Kia Ora to him, a traditional greeting from New Zealand. We said that we were medical students and he said that we were 'desperately needed'.'

Guernsey has been granted a bank holiday today to mark the royal visit.

The Channel Islands formally became part of the Duchy of Normandy in 933, then Normandy and England came under common rule from 1066 after the victory of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.

After 1204, Guernsey pledged to remain loyal to King John of England when he lost his continental Normandy territory to the French King. And now, 820 years on, the Channel Islands are the only part of the former Duchy of Normandy which remains loyal to the British Crown.

As the King and Queen arrived this morning the Royal Standard was raised on the Weighbridge Mast and a 21 gun salute fired.

They then took part in a special sitting of the States of Deliberation.

It is traditional that a special sitting of the States of Deliberation is held when the Monarch visits Guernsey for the first time and occurred in 1957 for the first visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Later in the visit, the King stopped to speak to a group of medical students who have come to Guernsey as part of their studies, telling them that they were 'desperately needed'.

Ivana Barbalich, 23, a medical student on an overseas elective from her native New Zealand, said: 'I said Kia Ora to him, a traditional greeting from New Zealand. We said that we were medical students and he said that we were 'desperately needed'.