Prince Charles joined the girl band The Saturday's to officially open a Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull, West Midlands.

The prince spent the morning visiting the £20m service centre with Frankie Sandford, Mollie King, Una Healy, Vanessa White and Rochelle Humes.

He met in-patients privately and toured the extensive grounds, speaking with volunteer gardeners and staff at the charity, which provides end of life care to terminally ill patients.

Charles has been a patron of Marie Curie Cancer Care since 2003. The Saturdays have also been long-time supporters and helped lay the first brick of the centre two years ago.

The hospice is expected to care for over 2,000 people every year. It includes private en-suite rooms for in-patients, a day therapy unit offering aromatherapy, acupuncture, massages and reflexology, as well as landscaped gardens.

The Saturday's tweeted: "So honored to be present at the opening of the @mariecurieuk Hospice Solihull where we lay the first brick during construction!"

After meeting pupils and teachers from the nearby Solihull School, Charles gave a speech and unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening.

Rochelle from The Saturdays said: "It is such an honour to be part of such a special day and amazing to see how fantastic the hospice looks and we are all very proud to be ambassadors for Marie Curie."

Jane Collins, chief executive of Marie Curie: "We are honoured that His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and The Saturdays were able to attend today and open our new hospice and meet our staff, volunteers and patients.

"We are grateful to everyone who has been involved in raising the funds to build this fantastic new hospice which will allow us to care for more patients across the West Midlands."