Royal Couple Wraps Up U.S. Tour

Prince Charles, Camilla A Hit With Many Americans During Visit

(AP) 
At some stops, placards praised the prince's organic credentials and entreated him to speak out against the war in Iraq.

On Monday, the couple visited the "edible garden" at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, a kitchen garden converted from waste ground where students grow and prepare their own food.

Charles and Camilla were greeted by Maria Shriver, wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Berkeley chef Alice Waters as they met pupils preparing food in the school kitchen and examined a composting operation.

The couple joined pupils in offering thanks before sampling a harvest soup made of vegetables from the school garden.

"I'm thankful for all nature's gifts," Charles said.

"I'm going to be very thankful when I've eaten this soup," Camilla added.

Later, the couple traveled by U.S. Coast Guard clipper across San Francisco Bay to the city's Ferry Building, where Charles delivered a heartfelt plea for stronger action on climate change to about 300 business, government and academic delegates.

In a 30-minute speech, Charles appealed for action in the face of the "almost complete global scientific consensus" on climate change.

Environmentalists say the U.S. government has been slow to recognize the threat of global warming, and the prince urged the United States to "use its power and influence to help create a sense of unity in common cause" on the issue.

"There are no easy answers, but obviously our actions, or inactions, will all make a profound difference — a really profound difference — to the lives our descendants will lead," he said.

On their last evening in the country the couple were attending a reception for business leaders at the city's de Young Museum.

The British media have long held that many Americans remain in thrall of the glamor of Princess Diana and the fairy-tale romance of her marriage to the prince. Camilla is the villain of that story

the woman Diana meant when she said "there were three of us in that marriage."

But only a handful of Diana die-hards dogged the tour, vastly outnumbered by Camilla well-wishers.

Many Americans — especially women — seemed won over by the down-to-earth triumph of the middle-aged royals' long-burning love.

In Point Reyes Station, California, Cari Lee, 45, waited outside a farmers' market holding a sign reading "We love Their Royal Highnesses Charles and Camilla."

"I'm a newlywed as well, so I understand their bliss," she said.