In his days as Prince of Wales, he was a regular visitor to Sunderland and County Durham.
We saw him try his skills at bowls, test out the driver’s seat in a car at Nissan, and don a hard hat for a visit to Pallion shipyard.
But most of all, we saw him chat with members of the public and they took him to their hearts. Let’s re-live those precious moments and perhaps you can spot someone you know.
5. A day for all generations
Prince Charles in Sunderland in 1988. Were you pictured among the crowds? Photo: SE
6. Behind the wheel
Prince Charles tries out a vehicle on a visit to the Nissan car factory in 2015. Photo: Picture by David Allan
7. Such huge crowds in 1988
Look at the crowds which turned out to see the Prince at the Enterprise Centre in High Street West in 1988. Photo: Sunderland Echo
8. A visit to Pennywell
The Prince of Wales enjoyed a conversation with the crowds at Pennywell Community College in 1996. Photo: Sunderland Echo