When the young Prince Charles started at a new university, he had more than most freshers to contend with: not least, the passionate Welsh nationalists furiously campaigning against him on the way to lectures.

Fortunately, he has disclosed, he had formidable support on his side in the shape of a group of “splendid middle-aged ladies”.

The Prince, who was made Prince of Wales shortly after his time at Aberystwyth University, has told of his “interesting experience” as a student there, as he learned the Welsh language ahead of his investiture.

In an ITV documentary celebrating his 50 years as Prince of Wales and how he has gradually won the approval of his former nationalist critics, he shared his amusement at the counter-demonstrations staged by kind-hearted supporters.

The prince, aged 21, had arrived in Aberystwyth for a nine-week-long course to learn the Welsh language and history, in the first stage of a lifelong bid to demonstrate his affection for the country.