The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are shown an electronic prosthetic arm during their visit to Headley Court, a rehabilitation centre near Leatherhead, Surrey

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The Prince of Wales has opened a new rehabilitation centre for wounded service personnel in Surrey, where he spoke about the number of British service personnel being wounded in Afghanistan "on a daily basis" and said the number of troops being injured is "astonishing".

The Prince said the public does not hear much about the number of people suffering wounds in the conflict, where his youngest son, Prince Harry, is currently serving his second tour of duty.

His Royal Highness was speaking as he opened a £16.9 million complex at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) for wounded service personnel at Headley Court.

"So often people don't hear about the number of people who are wounded on a daily basis in Afghanistan," he said.

"It is only when you visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (where battlefield casualties are repatriated to) or here that you realise how many people are going through such horrific experiences. It is astonishing.

"It makes me feel incredibly small and humble, what they have been through, what they go on to do and the inspiration they provide to others."

The Prince and The Duchess of Cornwall toured the facility before opening the £16.9 million, 48-bed Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex, which includes therapy rooms and a gym for rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and a workshop for hi-tech prosthetic limbs.

The couple met several ex-soldiers, including some who became members of ParalympicsGB which achieved so much at the Paralympic Games this year.

They included discus thrower Derek Derenalagi, 37, who was pronounced dead when he lost both his legs following a Taliban bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2007. He said The Prince had congratulated him on his achievement at the games when they spoke.

"It is great to see him and The Duchess supporting injured soldiers and coming to Headley Court to see the change you can make from being injured in the frontline to getting back to normal life again," he said. "It is inspiring."

The Royal Couple also met sitting volleyball player Netra Rana, of the First Battalion Royal Gurka Rifles and paracyclist Terry Byrne, who both also benefited from the centre's care after being wounded in Afghanistan.

They were joined by paratriathlete Joe Townsend, who brought the flame into the stadium for the opening ceremony and who hopes to take part in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, when his sport makes its debut.

They also met representatives of several charities which work with injured personnel. The Prince, known for his love of gardening, also toured Headley Down's gardens, which are maintained by service personnel, while The Duchess toured the accommodation.

They were both then shown the workshop where senior prosthetic technician Steve Lambert showed them a myoelectric arm, which uses electrical impulses in upper arm muscles to control and move a false hand.

Group Captain Clare Walton, the commanding officer of the DMRC, said the new facility would greatly help wounded personnel.

"What we have added here provides flexibility to those who are less mobile," she said.

"I think it is a huge moral boost to know the public and the Royal Family care.

"It is essential to their rehabilitation to know that they are valued."