PRINCE Charles commended the hard working staff at a Clydebank hospital this afternoon on a royal visit.

He arrived the Golden Jubilee National Hospital at around 1.30pm and stayed for just over an hour, meeting staff and patients.

Before leaving he officially opened the new 'innovation centre' at the hospital, a computer facility to develop and share new surgery techniques.

The heir to the throne offered his congratulations to the hospital for the "remarkable" work it has achieved since opening in 2002.

Prince Charles said: "I've heard a lot of the remarkable reputation this hospital has built up over the years and it is enormously encouraging to see the remarkable difference that such skilled work, devotion and dedication amongst all the staff who work here, and the difference that can make to the patients lives.

"It is, if I may say so, an enormous tribute to the professionalism and the quality of care that the staff offer here.

"I just want to offer my warmest congratulations, and that having had a brief view - only brief - I'm sure that [the innovation centre] will contribute enormously to the improvement, techniques and recovery time of patients in the future, and the training of the staff.

He added: "Nothing could give me more pleasure than to open the innovation centre."

It was his fourth engagement of the day, after he had visited Glasgow School of Art, the Clutha, Trades Hall in Glasgow City Centre and Arnold Clark in Whiteinch.

After his visit to the hospital he and his wife Camilla are due to attend Dumfries House Dog Show at Dumfries House.

The day of engagements is part of a week-long trip to Scotland which will see them all the way around the nation in similar activities.

The royal’s visit has coincided with controversy in the national press today about the cost of running the monarchy.

The Queen is set to no longer receive funding via Scotland’s crown estate, a decision that means that the income of the monarch and the rest of the royal family could reduce by more than £2m a year.

It is understood that the Scottish parliament intends to retain the profits from the crown estate in Scotland for use in Scotland, which could have the consequence of reducing the sovereign grant, which funds the monarchy.

Full report on Prince Charles' visit next week's Clydebank Post.