Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall visit Manama Souq
Manama : Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall shared a giggle as they visited the Krishna Temple in Bahrain on Thursday.
The couple, who are currently on a tour of the Gulf on behalf of the British government, popped into the temple on what was a busy day of engagements after picking up some bargains at a local souk (market) in the country's capital, Manama.
Manama Souq in the old bazaar area of the city is home to shops teeming with local souvenirs, gold jewellery, rugs and textiles.
Camilla, 69, who can never resist a bargain, took her husband into Ali Baba Cave Antiques where they snapped up a cushion and Russian-style dolls, reports Daily Mail.
The souk has undergone a major redevelopment in recent years and gives visitors the opportunity to experience the rich local culture of Bahrain's capital. As they walked brought the bustling, chaotic street a band of Punjabi drummers played.
The couple were also introduced to craft makers displaying their wares including model dhows and pottery.
Earlier they visited the Post Office Museum, which displayed stamps commemorating historic moments in the history of the kingdoms of Bahrain and the UK.
The Duchess of Cornwall wore dusky pink kaftan on the latest leg of her tour of the Middle East, pairing the garment with a woven clutch, taffeta scarf and white pumps.
Later Charles and Camilla removed their shoes and wore floral garlands and yellow scarves for their visit to the Krishna Temple in Manama.
They toured the temple, which is the oldest Hindu temple in Bahrain, and learnt about the history of the Hindu community.
Camilla stopped and chatted to four women making garlands from jasmine and rose in the temple. ‘They smell fantastic, they are very, very nice,’ she said.
The couple went to a courtyard below the temple for a reception with members of different faith communities.
Ebrahim Noor, who was representing the Jewish community in Bahrain, handed the prince two notes worth 100 trillion dollars. ‘Thank you very much,’ Charles said.
Mr Noor, who gave the heir to the throne one 50 trillion and one 50 trillion note for the Queen, said the notes came from Zimbabwe.
‘I gave him a souvenir - one for him and one for his mum,’ Mr Noor said. ‘They come from Zimbabwe where there is hyper inflation. When I gave them to him I think he had an idea they were from Africa. The numbers are ridiculous.’
Mr Noor said the Jewish community in Bahrain was between 45 and 50 people.
Later in the day Camilla visited St. Christopher's School, a not for profit British-style school that has more than 2,200 pupils from more than 70 countries.
She was greeted by hundreds of smartly-dressed youngsters waving flags and cheering before going inside to watch youngsters make carrot cake and patriotic cup cakes. The Duchess was even given some to take home with her.
She was also persuaded to take part in a traditional Tudor feast as part of a school project, after being invited to sit down by 'Henry VIII'.
'Very impressive, ' said the Duchess. 'You are only 32 you know, so you have plenty of years yet. I'm just sorry I can't join your feast.'
Meanwhile, Charles attended a private audience with HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
He will then attend a discussion at Bin Mattar house in Muharraq on the topic of empowering communities for positive change.
The discussion will include a diverse group of Bahrain's society and cover a wide-range of issues including education and active citizenship.
Camilla is due to visit the Supreme Council for Women, which is chaired by Wife of His Majesty the King, HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
The Duchess will meet successful young business women, view their products and services and hear about setting up a company in Bahrain.
She will then join a reception celebrating the achievements of about 80 successful Bahraini and non-Bahraini women in their fields.
Charles will visit Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, where he will speak with six members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
The mosque is the largest in the country and is capable of holding up to 7,000 worshippers.
He will then go to the Shaikh Isa Cultural Centre to view a traditional and geometric art workshop with students from the University of Bahrain.
The Prince will visit the Mina Salman Naval Base and open the welfare block of the HMS Jufair, as well as looking at the HMS Middleton ship.
His next engagement is a visit to Bahrain National Museum, where he will join a reception of 32 young Bahraini leaders.
Charles, along with his wife, will then attend an exhibition and reception to celebrate the 200th anniversary of relationships between the UK and Bahrain.
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