5 Nov 2012

Prince Charles leaves PNG with sense of regret

11:42 am on 5 November 2012

Prince Charles says being in Papua New Guinea has made him feel old.

This morning, Prince Charles will tour a youth centre while Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall will visit a women's refuge.

The royal couple is then scheduled to depart for Australia, before heading to New Zealand where Charles will celebrate his 64th birthday on November 14.

The Prince of Wales, told an audience in Port Moresby's he will depart with immense regret.

He says he first came to Papua New Guinea almost 50 years ago, which has worried him greatly.

He says there are an awful lot of people who have no idea I went to school here in 1966.

Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio says Queen Elizabeth is an important unifying figure for PNG.

He says Her Majesty's 60-year reign is longer than the average life span of the country's people, and 23 years longer than it has enjoyed nationhood.