King Charles has hailed the ‘best of British’ business prize winners at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

He welcomed companies recognised for their innovation with the King’s Award for Enterprise to his Berkshire home, and chatted to the entrepreneurs and established executives whose practices and products have earned them praise.

The awards are one of the most prestigious business accolades in the country, with winners able to use its emblem for the next five years and many report it boosts their profile and access to new markets.

Among the guests was Jonathan Reynolds, the new Business Secretary, and pointing to the business people Charles told the politician ‘they represent the best of British’.

One of the first winners Charles met was the senior team from WeWalk, which has produced a smart walking stick for the visually impaired that can give directions, beep when obstacles are sensed and even provide information about points of interest.

King Charles has hailed the ‘best of British’ business prize winners at a ceremony at Windsor Castle

He welcomed companies recognised for their innovation with the King’s Award for Enterprise to his Berkshire home, and chatted to the entrepreneurs and established executives whose practices and products have earned them praise

The awards are one of the most prestigious business accolades in the country, with winners able to use its emblem for the next five years and many report it boosts their profile and access to new markets

King Charles III during a reception for recipients of The King’s Award for Enterprise, at Windsor Castle on July 9, 2024 in Windsor, England

Dr Jean-Marc Feghali, the company’s chief innovation officer, was joined by its chief executive officer Gokhan Mericliler and the King noticed the white stick beeping as there was an obstacle nearby.

Mr Mericliler said: ‘The King seemed impressed by the voice assisted aspect, being about to talk to the cane, its interactive element, that excited him the most.’

Other winners included Bluewater, which removes harmful phosphorus from rivers and Frugalpac which produces a paper bottle for wines and spirits.

The King also was joined at the drinks reception by the Duke of Kent and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who mingled with the guests.

Queen Camilla has stepped out looking supremely elegant in an all blue ensemble (The Queen is pictured with King Charles at the the Sovereign’s Garden Party held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on July 2)

King Charles and Queen Camilla raised a glass of Duncan Taylor whisky to mark the 900th anniversary of the City of Edinburgh on July 3

King Charles (centre left), Queen Camilla (centre right), the Prince of Wales (left) and Duke of Edinburgh (right) stood for a new portrait following the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh

This comes after a series of public appearances by the King, with him and Queen Camilla attending the Sovereign’s Garden Party at his residence official Scottish resident, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, on July 2.

A day later the royal couple was spotted drinking Duncan Taylor whisky during a visit to Edinburgh Castle, with Camilla saying it ‘hits the spot’.

On the same day, a new portrait of the royal family was unveiled following the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The portrait shows the King and Queen standing proud in the centre, with Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, on either side.