Prince Charles said he would always treasure the medal – after joking about his Greek heritage. Referring to his father Prince Philip, who was born on the Greek island of Corfu almost 100 years ago, the Prince of Wales said he had “quite a bit of Greek blood that’s flowing round me”.
He added the medal will always remind him of his connections to the “remarkable” country.
Prince Charles was awarded the medal, also knon as Gold Medal of Valour in Athens, by the city’s mayor Kostas Bakoyannis at the City Hall.
Upon receiving the city’s highest distinction, the heir to the throne said to be “enormously touched”.
He then quipped: “I didn’t realise, even at my age, I’d actually win a gold medal, so I’m even more grateful.”
Prince Charles, who has been focusing his royal work on the environment for more than 50 years, praised Athens’ mayor for making “such strides in ensuring that Athens becomes a great example of sustainability”.
He added: “Because it is crucially important it seems to me that cities like Athens and all around the world are much more involved in the drive towards greater sustainability, decarbonisation of the economy and indeed a regeneration of biodiversity.”
Charles also said to be “particularly touched” by Athens’ desire to enact Terra Carta, which aims at pushing businesses to invest in the health of the planet and people.
Signatories of this initiative must agree to undertake almost 100 actions to become more sustainable by 2030.
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