Rain could not dampen the spirits of The Prince of Wales as he spent an afternoon among the plants in south west London.

Prince Charles sheltered under an umbrella as he visited the Great Broad Walk Borders - believed to be the world's longest double herbaceous borders - at Kew Gardens this afternoon (May 17).

The Royal visit comes the day before Kew’s launch of the second annual State of the World's Plants report.

The annual document acts as a reliable tool for policymakers, scientists and the public to reference the plant world accurately and to focus efforts to adapt to a changing global climate.

Prince Charles met with Richard Wilford, the designer of the broad walk and Richard Barley, director of horticulture, learning and operations to discover what the stunning landscape offered and discoveries of the new report.

Mr Wilford said: “Well it is great for the Royal to come and see the boarders I designed – it is fantastic.”

“I have never properly met him before and to give him a tour around the boarders for about 20 minutes was really quite an honour.”

Drizzling rain and wet feet didn't stop the prince as he stopped en route to talk to Lucy Bell, botanical horticulturalist on the board walk and the garden’s horticultural apprentices Sam Ward, Yasmin Rollock and Ben Meuann, who were busy planting, about their roles and work on the gardens.

Ms Bell said: “It was really nice to meet him, really interesting and he seemed so calm and collected.”

Armed with umbrellas, the Prince of Wales also took time out to talk to a group of Year Six pupils from Broomfield Primary school about their visit and have a chuckle with them about their school boaters surviving the weather.

Teacher Jason Callander said: “They are really honoured – it could be a once in the lifetime opportunity for some of them meeting, well, the future King so it really has made their day.”

Clearly surprising members of the public strolling through the gardens, the Royal quickly attracted a giggling following who had cameras at the ready to try and catch a selfie.

Gail Bryant, a Kew Garden visitor, said: “We were just on a day trip to the gardens and well we know he loves gardening so it makes sense he is here.”

“He seems to be very genuinely interested in the gardens and it was just really nice to catch a glimpse and see him here.”

The heir to the throne also spent time with several of the scientist and members involved in the report’s latest finding and projects.