Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visit the Isles of Scilly

Thick fog had made it uncertain whether the couple would be able to make the short helicopter ride

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have made their second visit to the Isles of Scilly in three years.

Earlier in the day it had been uncertain whether the Royal couple would be able to make the short helicopter ride.

Public flights from the mainland to St Mary's had been cancelled due to thick fog.

But Charles and Camilla were given the go-ahead and landed just 45 minutes later than scheduled.

Isles of Scilly vets

Their visit to the islands gave the Duchess of Cornwall, a well-known animal lover, the chance to visit the only vet's surgery on the island of St Mary's.

She was shown around by Dr Heike Dorn who has worked on the islands for six years.

The Duchess was shown around by Dr Heike Dorn - Pic: Getty Images

Dr Dorn said: "It was a lovely, lovely visit. We talked about what kind of animals I look after, which is quite a wide variety, and she also met my dog, Padme, who she liked very much."

The Isles of Scilly Veterinary Support Group (IOSVSG), which was formed in 2007, raised funds for the new surgery, which included a grant from the Local Action Group and donations from the Duke of Cornwall Benevolent fund.

The duchess unveiled a plaque to celebrate the final payment being made for the building and equipment.

The visit to the veterinary surgery came shortly after Camilla joined her husband to open the £14m Five Islands School - a year after the Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the new sports hall on the site.

Later in the day they boarded a boat from St Mary's to Bryher.

Prince Charles last visited Bryher in 2006 while this was the Duchess's first visit.

Their first stop was the Sussex gig shed where they met members of the well-established and much-loved Tresco and Bryher Gig Club.

The couple then went on to visit the new Bryher Shop and Post Office, an art gallery and community centre.