Crowds of staff, patients and volunteers gathered to welcome Charles to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on Wednesday as he officially opened the 736-bed facility in Smethwick. Staff, visitors and patients line the walkways to see Charles (Richard Pohle/The Times/PA)The King responded: “I know, this is the terrible thing, as I am discovering already. The bits don’t work so well when you get past 70.”The royal also chatted with patient Matthew Shinda, 73, who is receiving treatment for prostate cancer and is from Oldbury. Hernata Yonas arrived at 8.48am, just 90 minutes after the maternity ward opened its doors for the first time. The King viewed historic items in the library and the cardinal’s personal effects in his room, which has remained untouched since his death in 1890.
