In pictures: King meets patients and staff as he opens hospital

King Charles III unveils a plaque as he officially opens the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), in Smethwick

King Charles III has officially opened a new hospital in the West Midlands, meeting staff and patients amid crowds of well-wishers.

Onlookers waved flags and cheered the King as he arrived at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, a 736-bed site in Smethwick.

The monarch joked with hospital patients about the challenges of getting older, telling one woman "bits don't work so well when you get past 70".

The visit was rearranged from March, when it was cancelled due to side-effects from his cancer treatment.

The King was greeted by medical students

A crowd of hundreds of patients, staff and medical students cheered, clapped and took selfies as the King stopped to speak to people.

Chairman of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Sir David Nicholson said it was a "tremendous honour" to have the King unveil a plaque marking the official opening.

Staff, visitors and patients line the walkways to see the King during his visit

Sir David Nicholson, chairman of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said it was a "tremendous honour" to have the King unveil a plaque marking the official opening.

He said: "This is a day of immense pride, not just for those of us who have been part of this project since its inception, but the entire community that will benefit from this world-class facility for generations to come."

The King met Hernata Yonas, the first baby born at the hospital last October

After his visit to the ward, the King met the first baby to have been born at the hospital after it opened its doors on October 6 last year and her parents, Semhar Tesfu and Yonas Kflu, from Perry Barr.

Hernata Yonas arrived at 08:48 BST, just 90 minutes after the maternity ward opened its doors for the first time.

He also met Elsie Kudozie, whose baby Eyanna was born just two days ago.

King Charles met Elsie Kudozie, whose baby Eyanna was born on Monday

Earlier in the day, the King toured the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Birmingham, following the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

While there, he looked at historic items in the library and the cardinal's personal effects in his room, which has not been touched since his death in 1890.

King Charles talks with Fathers during a tour of The Oratory of St. Philip Neri following the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Birmingham

A gold plaque commemorates the King's visit to the Oratory of St Philip Neri