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Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall visit US memorials Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall visit US memorials
(about 2 hours later)
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have visited monuments to President Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr as part of their trip to the United States. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have visited monuments to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr as part of their trip to the US.
They were joined by figures from the American civil rights movement, Jesse Jackson and Congressman John Lewis.They were joined by figures from the American civil rights movement, Jesse Jackson and Congressman John Lewis.
The royal couple arrived in Washington DC at the start of a three-day visit to the country on Tuesday night. Later, speaking at an environmental conference, the prince called on governments and businesses to end the dumping of plastics into the oceans.
They will meet President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday. The couple will meet President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday.
Mr Obama will hold informal talks with the royal couple in the Oval Office. The couple - who arrived in Washington DC for their three-day visit on Tuesday - were given a guided tour of the Lincoln Memorial sculpture, pausing at the spot where Dr King gave his famous "I have a dream" speech in 1963.
British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott said the trip would "showcase the best of the transatlantic relationship". At Dr King's nearby memorial, they met Rev Jackson and Congressman Lewis, who helped organise the famous civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 - dramatised in the recent movie Selma.
The couple were given a guided tour of the huge Lincoln Memorial sculpture completed in 1922. The prince and duchess were also given a tour of Mount Vernon - home of America's first president, George Washington.
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 duchess also paid a visit to Washington's Shakespeare Theatre Company.
At Dr King's nearby memorial, they met Jesse Jackson and Congressman Lewis, who helped organise the famous Selma march - dramatised in the movie Selma.
Historic milestonesHistoric milestones
The visit will see the pair join in commemorating several important milestones. Prince Charles also visited the National Archives, where he viewed the United States' Charters of Freedom and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta.
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. He later told leading delegates to an environmental conference on marine waste of his concerns about the "increasing quantity of plastic waste" in oceans.
Prince Charles also visited the National Archives, where he viewed the United States' Charters of Freedom and the 1297 version of Magna Carta. He said he had been "haunted" by images of seabirds found dead after mistakenly eating plastic, and called for better recycling and disposal of plastics.
He also gave 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. The solution to problems caused by a "throw-away society" was to move towards a circular economy, where "materials are recovered, recycled and reused instead of created, used and then thrown away", he said.
The duchess visited the city's Shakespeare Theatre Company.
AnalysisAnalysis
Nicholas Witchell, BBC royal correspondentNicholas 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.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 visited 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.The prince visited 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.
He attended and spoke 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.He attended and spoke 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. The US visit will see also the royals join in commemorating several important milestones.
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." These include the 150th anniversaries of the end of the American Civil War and the death of President Lincoln, and the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.
The prince and duchess were also given a tour of Mount Vernon - home of America's first President, George Washington on Wednesday. Prince Charles is also expected to receive an award for exceptional leadership in conservation from the International Conservation Caucus Foundation.
Prince Charles is later in the trip set to 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.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. They will tour the city, which has a cultural centre dedicated to the life and achievements of the three-time world heavyweight boxing champion.
Speaking before their arrival, British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott said the trip would "showcase the best of the transatlantic relationship".