Camilla asks the £ 1m question on bank visit
THE PRINCE of Wales found himself quids in when he signed a £ 1m pound “promissory note” during a visit to the Bank of England.
But there was little chance of Charles, who was joined by wife Camilla, being able to claim the huge sum from the bank.
The financial institution has a tradition of asking visiting senior Royals to sign a promissory note – which it is bound to honour – but the valuable document is then kept at the bank, either in a vault or put on display.
Camilla was tempted by the note, and joked: “So, I can’t pop it into my handbag?”
During their visit the
Governor of the Bank, Andrew Bailey, said he was “optimistic” about the economy in a remark to Charles. Since Covid- 19 began to impact the UK, the Bank has put in place a package of measures to help keep firms in business and people in jobs, with the aim of minimising the longerterm damage to the economy.
The couple, who wore face masks, were taken on a tour of the institution, nicknamed the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, and also learned about its work to become more sustainable.
Charles and Camilla were told of the Bank’s effort to decrease its environmental impact through recycling notes into everyday objects. The prince and his wife met staff involved in the production of notes and viewed a selection of archive and unreleased materials.
They were also shown copies of the new £ 50 and discussed security measures for the nation’s currency.