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| Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall begin US visit | Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall begin US visit |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in Washington DC at the start of a three-day visit, during which they will meet President Barack Obama at the White House. | The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in Washington DC at the start of a three-day visit, during which they will meet President Barack Obama at the White House. |
| The royal couple visited monuments to President Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr on Wednesday. | |
| They were joined by figures from the American civil rights movement, Jesse Jackson and Congressman John Lewis. | |
| President Obama will meet the duke and duchess in the Oval Office. | |
| British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott said the trip would "showcase the best of the transatlantic relationship". | British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott said the trip would "showcase the best of the transatlantic relationship". |
| The couple were given a guided tour of the huge Lincoln Memorial sculpture completed in 1922. | |
| As they walked down its steps they paused at the spot where Dr King gave his famous "I have a dream" speech in 1963. | |
| The visit will see the royal couple mark several important milestones. | The visit will see the royal couple mark several important milestones. |
| These include the 150th anniversaries of the end of the American Civil War and the death of President Abraham Lincoln, and the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. | |
| Prince Charles will visit the National Archives later, where he will view the United States' Charters of Freedom and the 1297 version of Magna Carta. | |
| He will also give a speech to representatives of major companies, leading environmental organisations and governments, who are gathering to examine the issue of plastic waste in seas and oceans. | He will also give a speech to representatives of major companies, leading environmental organisations and governments, who are gathering to examine the issue of plastic waste in seas and oceans. |
| Meanwhile, the duchess will visit the city's Shakespeare Theatre Company, where she will be taken on a tour. | Meanwhile, the duchess will visit the city's Shakespeare Theatre Company, where she will be taken on a tour. |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| Nicholas Witchell, BBC royal correspondent | Nicholas Witchell, BBC royal correspondent |
| This is the 20th official visit the Prince of Wales has made to the United States. | This is the 20th official visit the Prince of Wales has made to the United States. |
| The pace at which he is taking on a greater share of his mother's work is still gradual - a visit such as this is one of the more tangible signs of the sharper identity he has now as Britain's king-in-waiting. | The pace at which he is taking on a greater share of his mother's work is still gradual - a visit such as this is one of the more tangible signs of the sharper identity he has now as Britain's king-in-waiting. |
| So he and his wife have visited some of the emblematic sights of Washington, the memorials to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. | |
| The prince will visit the National Archives to view a copy of Magna Carta and of course they will pay a call on President Obama at the White House. | |
| But there is no sign that the prince's greater proximity to the throne has muted his desire to make speeches. | But there is no sign that the prince's greater proximity to the throne has muted his desire to make speeches. |
| So later he will attend and speak at a symposium on marine pollution and on Friday, in Louisville, he will make what officials say will be a major speech on health and the environment. | |
| Speaking before their arrival, Sir Peter said he would be pleased to welcome the royal couple back to America, starting at a reception hosted by him. | Speaking before their arrival, Sir Peter said he would be pleased to welcome the royal couple back to America, starting at a reception hosted by him. |
| He added: "Their trip to Washington and Kentucky will showcase the best of the transatlantic relationship - promoting democratic values, combating climate change, preserving the natural environment, creating opportunities for the next generation - and provide yet another reminder of the essential role the Royal Family play in keeping that relationship special." | He added: "Their trip to Washington and Kentucky will showcase the best of the transatlantic relationship - promoting democratic values, combating climate change, preserving the natural environment, creating opportunities for the next generation - and provide yet another reminder of the essential role the Royal Family play in keeping that relationship special." |
| Also during the trip, the prince and duchess will be given a tour of Mount Vernon - home of America's first President, George Washington. | |
| Prince Charles will receive an award for exceptional leadership in conservation from the International Conservation Caucus Foundation. | |
| The royal couple will also visit the home city of boxer Muhammad Ali, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky. | |
| They will tour the city, which has a cultural centre dedicated to the life and achievements of the former three-time heavyweight boxing champion. |