Prince Charles arrives to open The Hereford Haven centre

A crowd of around 100 hailed the Prince as he arrived to open a breast cancer support centre near Hereford.

One man shouted: "Well done, Charles, the country is behind you!" and a woman added: "Keep your chin up!"

His visit comes as the Metropolitan Police prepare to investigate the deaths of the Princess and Dodi Fayed.

The Prince was officially opening the Hereford Haven in Herefordshire, after flying by helicopter from his Highgrove estate to RAF Credenhill.

He greeted several local dignitaries before embracing the founder of the Haven Trust, Sara Davenport, and kissing her on both cheeks.

Separate inquests

He then entered the building, which is the trust's first regional centre outside London.

Surrey coroner Michael Burgess announced the police probe as he opened and adjourned until 2005 separate inquests into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.

The Daily Mirror on Tuesday published details of Diana's letter, which was due to be handed in to an inquest by her former butler Paul Burrell.

The newspaper has admitted the claims are probably "preposterous".

Prince Charles's former press secretary Colleen Harris said the allegation was "preposterous" and "absolute nonsense".

"Anyone that works for the Prince or knows him will think this is complete and utter rubbish, it is unbelievable," she told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday.