They were loyally cheered, showered with gifts and serenaded by Rod Stewart. But questions from green campaigners about their decision to fly to the US to pick up an environment award refused to evaporate as the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited New York and Philadelphia at the weekend.
After drawing flag-waving crowds during a brief tour of the "City of Brotherly Love," the couple travelled 128km to the "Big Apple" on Sunday -- on an electric train, their advisers stressed ad nauseam. "It's the most environmentally friendly way to get between the two cities," said Charles' spokesman.
The pair boarded the 79-year-old private train because apparently a normal Amtrak service would not have been suitable for the royal party, the scheduled trains only stopping at Philadelphia for two minutes -- not long enough for the 20-strong group to board.
The couple's US trip was supposed to be a triumph. Prince Charles is here to collect an award from Harvard's center for health and the global environment to mark his work in raising awareness of green issues, a prize previously given to Al Gore. But the British environment secretary, David Miliband, spoilt the fun last week by querying the logic of flying 11,200km to pick up a prize for sustainability.
Mindful of appearances, Charles and Camilla had eschewed their usual private jet and taken a British Airways flight. But as they carried out engagements in Philadelphia, they moved about in a 17-vehicle convoy which, at a quick count, included six limousines, two SUVs, two coaches and endless police cars.
Local people did not seem to mind. Pamela Todd, an artist, said: "In this country we're not quite as concerned as you are over there about those issues ... you'll see a lot of cars."
Others were rapturous to be in the presence of royalty. Debbie Lefevre, 49, handed Camilla a bouquet of violet and yellow flowers: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see them. I'm thrilled they picked Philadelphia ... I'm fascinated by the fact that the monarchy still exists."
The trip is a chance for the prince to explore several of his favorite topics -- the arts, youth empowerment and urban regeneration. After streaking past the steps to Philadelphia's art museum, immortalized as a training ground in Sylvester Stallone's Rocky movies, the party visited Mantua, a down-at-heel neighborhood where young people are encouraged to paint murals as a way to brighten the path out of urban poverty.
The prince dabbled gamely with a paintbrush on a giant depiction of Martin Luther King as residents stood by curiously. A construction worker, Guy Spriggs, 45, said he was glad to see the unusual visitors.
Later, there was a white-tie concert with Rod Stewart at the city's Academy of Music. Backstage, the Scottish rocker had a dig at the royals' critics: "Bollocks to them. What are we going to do without the jet age? Are we supposed to go by ships now? People will be complaining about the fuel burnt by ships. We have got to get around you know. It's the 21st century."
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