The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have started the first day of their weekend trip to America with a walkabout in Philadelphia where the greeting made up for the cold of the winter's day. This is Charles and Camilla's second official visit to the United States, their first coming in November 2005 just months after they finally wed.

This time around, though, there's less media focus on the trip, much of the British media continuing to provoke comment about the fact the couple have travelled by plane for an all-too-brief tour which will incorporate the Prince being hailed as a friend of the environment.

Ironically, as Charles and Camilla are in America, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world and business leaders are in the Swiss ski resort of Davos — a favourite skiing destination of the Prince and his sons — for a conference at which climate change and how the world can halt the damage to the globe is top of the agenda.

Far fewer headlines appear to have been generated about the fact all such leaders have themselves taken plane journeys for what amounts to a similarly short visit as that undertaken by the royals.

But back to Philadelphia....

Despite facing a long wait in the cold, a good number of people turned out onto the streets to say hello to the royals.

One member of the crowd was a little overly-excited by the fact she shook hands with royalty, 49-year-old Debbie Lefevre saying of Camilla: "She actually offered her hand to me. I was shocked."

Another who was determined to meet the royal visitors was local resident Sharon Thaler. So determined, in fact, that she waited several hours in the freezing cold, much to Charles's surprise, who told his new-found fan: "In that case, I hope you have a stiff drink waiting at the end of the day."

Such is the power of royalty.

The visit began with a stop at Independence Hall, the very city which marks the loss of the American colonies by one of Prince Charles's favourite ancestors, King George III (he of the 'madness'....Charles is convinced that he was, as many historians now believe, not mad but simply very ill with porphyria).

Unlike many royal tours, which incorporate an extensive amount of wining and dining, this one is destined to focus very much on regeneration and those people in society who can be helped by greater investment and support.

And so it was that Camilla and Charles, whose own Prince's Trust does much to help revitalise the youth of Britain and some local communities overseas, embarked on a tour of some of Philadelphia's poorest  and at times most dangerous areas.

No visit to the Pennsylvanian city is complete without the obligatory visit to the Liberty Bell. It is a sight which has greeted numerous generations of royalty, including the Queen.

As Charles recalled, his mother visited the city in its bicentennial year in 1976, the Prince telling his hosts she has regaled him with her recollections of the city, one which he too will remember thanks to its "famously warm hospitality and famously cold weather."

Today, Camilla — wearing a brownish grey tweed overcoat which did little to cheer the mood beneath the equally gloomy skies — got rather more up close and personal with the huge bell than is perhaps usual, running her finger along the crack as she examined one of America's most famous and potent symbols of its democracy and independence.

The Prince's own mind turned to the historic links between his family and the city of Philadelphia, recalling a previous royal visit to Pennsylvania by his great-great-grandfather.

King Edward VII, who died in 1910 following a reign of just nine years, shares a number of similarities with Charles, not least the controversy which surrounded his private life and peccadiloes. As most royal watchers know, Queen Victoria's eldest son was the lover of Camilla's great-grandmother, Mrs Alice Keppel.

Speaking about the royal tour of 1860, Charles told a gathered audience of community leaders at the National Constitution Center: "I'm enormously proud to be walking in my great-great-grandfather's footsteps."

royal couple will once again follow the path taken by 18-year-old Edward on Saturday night as they attend a gala event at the Academy of Music, sitting in the very box which played host to the man who came to be known as 'Dirty Bertie' thanks to his numerous extra-marital affairs.

Later in the day the Prince who helps raise millions for charities worldwide — in recent times, one private dinner at Clarence House helped raise millions of pounds for a new wing at Great Ormond Street Hospital For Sick Children — was bashful when congratulated on his fundraising efforts by Pennsylvania's Governor, Ed Rendell, joking that the two-hundred million he'd mentioned in his speech should have been in US dollars not pounds.

Quipped the royal guest: "I'm not sure what the exchange rate was this morning."

Whatever it was, it still works out at a heck of a lot of millions!

While much of the British press in particular continues to be focusing in on the way in which Charles travelled to Philadelphia — what will they say on seeing a convoy of no fewer than 17 cars rolling through the streets as part of the royal motorcade (one which incorporats the security officials who travel alongside any high-profile visitors, be they royal or political) — one well-known face in the press pack has been showing his support for the Prince.

Reacting to the criticism of the Prince over his plane journey to pick up an environmental award, The Sun's award-winning photographer Arthur Edwards says: "The Prince is trying to become environmental friendly. He's doing his best."

"If you go to Clarence House, it's so dim with all these low-energy lights, it's just amazing. And he's toying with getting a hybrid car and stuff like that. So he's doing his best."

There'll be no time for the royal visitors to sleep off the effects of jet-lag on Sunday morning, the day heralding more engagements including morning service with members of the Welsh community and other local people at Arch Street Presbyterian Church.

Later in the day Charles and Camilla will be back on their travels, taking a train (rather than a plane) journey for the 90-mile trip to New York. Here, after weeks of criticism and debate, the Prince will finally step up and receive the much heralded award for his efforts to help save the planet as one of the world's most famous environmentalists.

Then it's time to board the plane for the return journey home and, unfortunately, yet more headlines about the green Prince and what some have dubbed regal hypocrisy.

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Name: Lisa

Comment: Here, here Kathy! I personally have no problem with the comment section except that sometimes legitimate posts/replies do not get posted- usually if you try to post them at night. If someone can make a post whether it be to state their opinion or to attack another poster, they need to be able to handle the result. By way of offering something constructive, if things keep getting out of hand you can always have preset buttons on how people can score an article. (.I enjoyed this article very much, .this article was okay, .this article does not interest me, etc). You would still have viewer feedback but without having to go thru and edit everything. Obviously we are incapable of impersonal debate.

Name: Ana Maria	Comment: "Seriously, please try not to direct your comments at others as everybody is entitled to a personal opinion and we don't want this denegrating into a slanging match." Well said, Joanne. Ana Maria

Name: Kathy Gebhardt

Comment: The problem is, in my opinion, that there are quite a few posts that shouldn't get thru. If these particular posts did not go through, others of us would not see fit to respond....and then when we do, not all of it gets by censorship, which is totally unfair beyond words. The answer would be not to accept any negative comments on either Diana, charles or camilla. If that was to happen, I'm sure some folks would get weary of the boredom and not bother to post anymore....in which case the comments section may fizzle out and go away...which I guess wouldn't be such a bad idea, all things considered. Some people purposely try to stir the pot. Especially towards us...you know, the knife squad.

Name: Muriel	Comment: No, Laura, they aren't going to pass by articles on Charles and Camilla, it's what they live for! It does get a little difficult at times for those of us that like Charles and the Duchess, but what the heck, their postings are more entertaining than anything on TV.

Name: Judith	Comment: Joanne, how many times have you asked for that now?! The problem is that most of your outspoken regulars just ignore your requests. Perhaps you should revisit the idea of pointing everyone with an opinion to the Royalist Forum (gosh, a place to discuss opinions?), where people can debate their differing opinions with at least a modicum of respect for each other.

Name: Laura	Comment: Wouldn't it be better for those who dislike Camilla to avoid reading or commenting on the articles on Charles and Camilla and those who may not be so keen on Diana to avoid commenting on those? A basic, easy way to avoid scuffles as shown on here.

Name: Anyacat	Comment: Dear Knife Squad: The field is yours. Let the vitriol flow. I have better ways to waste $7.99 each month.

Name: shelley	Comment: I would ask that all of us....Diana Fanatics and Camilla Crawlers et al, put down our knives, nail files etc, and stop taking everything personally. We can agree to disagree, we can shake our heads with sheer amazement at one another"s opinions, and we can actually have a giggle. Thanks Joanne for this place.

Name: M-M

Comment: If everyone will just stay on topic and not bring other posters into discussion this site will be the pleasant place it used to be until recently. Calling names and lumping people together who hold opposite views to one's own is destructive and boring (such as always referring to those who criticize Charles and/or Camilla as the 'knife squad' ). I'd hate to see this lovely site go all bitter and nasty. Let's stop it right now

Name: Joanne

Comment: Please, can you stop giving me a coronary and just agree to disagree on this matter. Seriously, please try not to direct your comments at others as everybody is entitled to a personal opinion and we don't want this denegrating into a slanging match. Really, we have enough work to contend with updating the site and doing numerous behind-the-scenes jobs without having to repeatedly take on a diplomatic role on the same subject, with the same things being said on an almost daily basis. Thanks. Joanne

Name: Lisa

Comment: I never saw Diana dig her claws into a man and hold on for dear life like CPB has, at the expense of all she claims to love. And Anya - you can direct your entire post at yourself. I have never seen such ill-aimed tripe in my life. If anyone needs to get over it, it is you. And I respect your right to get over it, in fact I await it with open arms. As I say over and over again - why do you let it bother you so much that people do not like these two? I don't stay awake at night wringing my hands about those who like them. If anything is tiresome around here, it is your nasty little comments that have nothing whatsoever about the article but everything to do with attacking people for enjoying the comment section. Joanne, I hope in light of the comments Anya was allowed to pass thru to your site, that you allow a rebuttal. I tried to be as civil as I could under the onslaught.

Name: Anyacat

Comment: Dear Knife Squad: It is you who inject the sainted Diana's name into every discussion that even peripherally includes the name of Camilla. You are on record as saying that Charles will never being forgiven for not loving the woman you wanted him to love. That he should never have married Diana in the first place is a given. But he did and now that she is dead, he should be allowed to move on. However, even his small successes must be besmirched. You hate the guy, you wish him all kinds of evil--we get that. But it sure would be nice to be able to read one discussion that does not endlessly rehash the whole Diana debacle. We understand that you are unforgiving, we respect your right to be unforgiving. However, the endless retreads of your ire have become tiresome to the rest of us who sincerely admire the Royal Family because of what they have achieved.

Name: Kathy Gebhardt

Comment: Jenn Comment:But then, CPB has never had an problem having something that belonged to someone else. ******************************************** Neither did Diana. (((sigh))) Here we go YET AGAIN....Since you are DETERMINED to bring Diana into it in the kicking-sand-at-everyone-on-the-playground kind of way, try separating fact from fiction. Also, deceased individuals seldom get what they want nowadays. Try defending your heros by not being disrespectful to someone who is no longer living. Trust me, if you did, it would be a first in comments section history regarding this topic.

Name: Kathy Gebhardt	Comment: **Sheesh the things people find so they can have another go at the Duchess.** It's not difficult to find things.

Name: Bella	Comment: ..."if you can't say anything pleasant then don't say anything at all?" quote from Laura. How nice it would be if some of your regular posters here would take the same line in respect to their comments/bashing of Charles and Camilla. Glad to hear you had such a nice meeting with them Jill! Treasure it and don't let those who can't let go of the past bring you down.

Name: Ana Maria	Comment: Joanne, thanks so much for the informative article. Maggy, how inconsiderate of you to say that you would get it right. Joanne works tiredlessly and she does a wonderful job. Ana Maria

Name: Jenn	Comment: But then, CPB has never had an problem having something that belonged to someone else. ******************************************** Neither did Diana.

Name: Henri M.

Comment: No 'G' and 'E' but a birthday present for the late Queen Elizabeth's centenary, so it seems, according to The Times. Since her marriage the Duchess has relied heavily on The Queen to lend her pieces for important occasions. At a state banquet for the visiting King and Queen of Norway she borrowed the diamond-encrusted Delhi Durbar Diademe once made for Queen Mary in 1911. The Duchess is believed to avoid wearing heirlooms that were borrowed by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, but some thought she had made an exception for a diamond brooch with Prince of Wales feathers. But there are several identical broches given as a wedding present to Princess Alexandra of Denmark when she married the future Edward VII and to Princess Mary of Teck when she married the future George V. The Duchess also wore the Boucheron 'Honeycomb Motif' Diamond Diademe, the late Queen Elizabeth's favourite. But the Duchess has also worn her own personal diamond diademe, a heirloom from her own maternal family (the barons Ashcombe) during a reception for the Corps Diplomatique at Buckingham Palace. The broche the Duchess wore seems to have had the image of a fisherman’s fly given to the Queen Mother on her 100th birthday — although when its designer saw a news picture of the Duchess sporting it on her lapel, she noticed that it was being worn upside down. But she at the same time stated that the late Queen Elizabeth has worn it in the same way (upside down) and if the bearer felt that was the best way, so be it.

Name: Lisa

Comment: Judy- the brooch is NOT arabic. It is an "E" and a "G" entwined and belonged to the DEAD Queen Mother. I find it odd of all the jewelry she could pick, she picks a piece with someone else's initials. But then, CPB has never had an problem having something that belonged to someone else. I think a piece like that should be a museum piece. I don't see the Queen wearing pieces with someone else's initials on them and those are HER own family! Geesh, what some people will do to try to knock someone around here.

Name: Anyacat	Comment: Please remember at all times: the Prince of Wales is to be roundly criticized for everything that he has done or ever will did. He should be hounded from the throne and it's just too bad that the good people of Philadelphia did not cover his car with eggs. Nothing would make some people happier than the day Prince Charles breathes his last--and the sooner the better.

Name: Maggy Shannon	Comment: Actually, yes I *would* get it right, even if it pertained to a country not my own. My critics make a fair point: no one likes someone who only complains. So I'll make an offer: I'll volunteer my services as a copyeditor.

Name: Kate

Comment: Jill - as I previously stated,,for you and your family, shaking hands and meeting the DOC, will be a happy memory..and you will talk about it for years to come, I know...I'm happy that you enjoyed the occasion... I think on this forum, everyone has and is entitled to their own opinion.Because there are many different opinions,that makes this thread unique. Again, I will merely say, I hope people don't forget the beginnings of the DOC... and the hurt her presence caused to others.

Name: jj

Comment: None of the jewellery Camilla has worn on this trip belonged to dead royals as far as I can see but even if she had what's the problem? The pearls are her own, the brooch seems to have arabic calligraphy on it and the necklace is a gift from an overseas tour. Should we all stop wearing family heirlooms because they were once worn by a person who is now dead? Sheesh the things people find so they can have another go at the Duchess.

Name: M-M	Comment: IMO Joanne readily accepts any correction of a fact if warranted , but that is very different from the unfriendly post from Maggy . Perhaps it wasn't meant to sound so harsh . We all think Joanne does a great job

Name: Trudie

Comment: Hey Maggie I hope you do not speak to your friends when they make a simple mistake in the tone you posted. If you do not think Joanne's site is not that reliable than why are you visiting it. Joanne you certainly do the best with what you are given and as an American I can see the confusion from the official press releases. You keep up your good work and please try to get some rest you certainly deserve it. Regards Trudie

Name: Muriel	Comment: I agree completely Laura. Joanne puts a lot of time and effort into making this site the very best. She's succeeds wonderfully and it is most unkind to criticize her not knowing all the ins and outs of our government system. I'm sure we wouldn't recognize an error in something we read about the British system either.

Name: Laura	Comment: Maggy, have you ever heard the old saying 'if you can say anything pleasant then don't say anything at all?'. Joanne works herself to death on here to provide a wonderful, informative site. I wish you could appreciate that Joanne only works with the facts she is given and if errors are made it's not her fault. Please be more considerate in your postings.

Name: Joanne

Comment: Maggy,Oh for goodness sake........ Thanks for showing your kind and supportive side to someone who's working all week AND most weekend's AND holidays. I really appreciate it. FYI, the official press releases referred to the Governor of Philadelphia. Would you, if you were writing a piece on, for instance, Manchester, England, or Sydney, Australia - or wherever it may be - be able to name the Mayor or know the official positions of all of the dignitaries who greet the arrival of royal or President/Prime Minister, or know the full detail of what city has which positions in the council/government?????Please, it takes you two seconds to criticise. It takes me several hours to write and research a piece for people to enjoy. I don't mind one bit people pulling me up on a mistake/s - we're all human - but please be kind and friendly in the way you do it.Regards,Joanne

Name: Henri M.

Comment: @ Lisa: 95% from all what royal ladies wear today, once were belongings to now dead royal women! The Prince of Wales gives his spouse the usufruct of a vast collection of jewels, most of them bequeathed to him by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth. And when Charles is King, his spouse will have access to the Crown Collection as well. And the same will happen to the next link in the long chain of British royal ladies: the spouse to Prince William. It is as simple as that and I like that tradition.

Name: Maggy Shannon	Comment: Poor reporting. Philadelphia is a city, therefore it does not have a governor. Philadelphia is in a state, and states have governors. If you can't get this right, how reliable is the rest of your reporting?

Name: M-M

Comment: Henri wrote In the evening Camilla of Cornwall dazzled with a 25 million dollar giant kokoshnik-style diamond-and-rubies necklace. She made a wonderful impression, despite an ill-fitted bra when she raises her arm to wave. She maybe needs advice on her undergarments but for the rest: wow! ____________________ The ostentatious jewellry is just right for the trip to pick up a Green award - surely people will now be convinced that the Cornwall's lifestyle is not filled with over-consumption and extravagance . BTW the plunging decolletage might be something she should reconsider . It's OK for Jordan or Sharon Osbourne ..... but for the future Queen Consort at age 60 ?

Name: Ontarian	Comment: Kate and Lisa, what a way to rain on somebody's parade. I'm glad you had a great time going out to see the PoW and DoC, Jill. Congrats!

Name: Lisa	Comment: What is up with CPB's obsession at getting her paws on the belongings of dead royal women????

Name: Lisa	Comment: Yes Henri- I agree: WOW! Not only does she live in the QM's homes, she appears to wear the jewelry and clothing of the late Queen. In some pictures, she even slightly resembles her in looks. I am sure Charles is thrilled to have his darling granny back!

Name: Jean Sue Libkind	Comment: The comments from some on this group are insane. I have to assume you are not followers of the Christian doctrine of forgiveness. Why does every article on Camilla elicit the same comment? Get over it. Does everyone you know still cconstantly bring up your own past transgressions? If so, you need better friends.

Name: Kate	Comment: Jill - I am sure you found her to be as you have described, although walking behind a bench and over some snow is not a true testament to any graciousness. For your family, the occasion will be a happy memory, but please don't forget how she got to this point in time!

Name: Henri M.

Comment: The broche worn by Camilla of Cornwall was most intriguing. A close look learns an interwined 'E' and 'G' in a haeat, so we may assume it was a gift of love from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth, who bequathed it to her beloved and favourite grandchild, Prince Charles. In the evening Camilla of Cornwall dazzled with a 25 million dollar giant kokoshnik-style diamond-and-rubies necklace. She made a wonderful impression, despite an ill-fitted bra when she raises her arm to wave. She maybe needs advice on her undergarments but for the rest: wow!

Name: Trudie

Comment: I wonder how green the train trip will be? I suppose they will depart Grand Central Station in a ridiculously long motorcade of fuel guzzling limosines as opposed to departing at 125th Street station in Harlem and a smaller more fuel efficient motorcade. I also saw a small news story on CBS news I hope the Duchess didn't suffer frostbite on her cleavage Today in New York is going to be colder I hope she wears her thermals.

Name: M-M	Comment: They all look so cold in the pics - I'm not sure grey was a good choice of colour for Camilla

Name: shelley	Comment: Charles is indeed walking in his grt grt grandfather's footsteps Camilla looked rather drab, her ground zero outfit might have been more appropriate here.

Name: Lisa

Comment: I had a chance to let my children shake her hand in D.C.- I didn't want to have to explain who she was and how she got the job so I declined. I am glad that you had no such qualms though as everyone is entitled to their feelings about her. Wow, did she really go to all that effort- behind a bench and over some snow? She is just amazing! If Charles is only "thinking about" getting a hybrid car(and stuff like that)- which have been around for a few years now, he cannot be that committed. What is the holdup????

Name: Jill

Comment: I was one of many who braved the cold this morning to greet Prince Charles and the Duchess at Independence Hall. How gracious Camilla was! She stepped behind a park bench over a pile of snow to greet my 3 year old daughter with a compliment on her "smart hat" (purple fleece with blue flowers)and shake the hand of each member of my family. I was struck by how lovely she is in person. It is an honor to have the royal couple visit our city and I am grateful to HRH for his good works. I wish them both much happiness.

Name: udyusa	Comment: Once again we are treated to the sight of the Duchess's cleavage in a V-neck! One would think that in view of the bitter cold she would button up and perhaps add a colorful scarf....Guess not. She obviously is obsessed with that neck-line regardless the weather. Fun article, Joanne!