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Soldiers and families enjoyed a visit from the Prince of Wales, meeting the man who is not only first in line to the throne but also their Colonel in Chief.

And while they may be based "at home", the soldiers and families of the Royal Gurkha Rifles’ rear party at Shorncliffe, Folkestone, are still a vital part of the fighting in Afghanistan.

Prince Charles holds the title of Colonel in Chief of the Gurkhas Rifles and he cleary had a great interest in a side of the operation not normally thought of by the public.

The Second Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR) are fighting in Helmand Province and they are supported from home by soldiers and civilians in the rear party. Prince Charles learned about the work that goes on behind the scenes.

After arriving for a briefing with Maj Bruce Mackay, he met Uma Dura, widow of fallen Folkestone Gurkha Colour Sergeant Krishna Dura. Colour Sergeant Dura died last year, fighting in Afghanistan. His two children, Krishtina and Kerbina Dura, also met Prince Charles, along with other children of the regiment including Neha Rai, eight, Celene Rai, nine, Mukum Subba, nine and Santa Rai.

The children presented His Royal Highness with flower garlands, to show their respect.

He also met injured soldiers Kushal Limbu, of 2RGR, and his father Vikram; Vishal Rai, also of 2RGR, Netra Rama and Tej Ghale of 1RGR.

The kitchens were open along the way and many other soldiers and families enjoyed a chat with the Prince as he spent some time with them in the Officer’s Mess. While it was cold and wet outside, inside was a riot of colour, with many saris to be seen and flashguns going off like strobe lighting.

Among those he spoke to was Colour Sergeant Ganesh Rai, who told the Express: "It is a great opportunity for us to see him, most of us for the first time apart from on TV. I spoke to him at Battalion HQ as I helped interpret for Uma Dura.

"The work that goes on here is very important. In operations it’s really, really necessary to support from the back - if you don’t support them they cannot fight."

This was echoed by Corporal Rajesh Rai, who said: "We are the backbone.

"We are on 24-hour readiness and we are all training, all the time. We’re not just sitting - we’re training. If there is a man down, we have to go."

Roma Limbu’s husband is out in Afghanistan, and she has the toughest job of all, sitting and waiting, hoping he comes home safely.

She said: "It is very tough sometimes. It was very important to meet Prince Charles and to tell him the situation in Afghanistan."

Her children go to primary school in Dover and are slowly learning English.

Prince Charles spent several hours meeting people at the barracks before heading home in his car - it was too cloudy for a helicopter.