CAMILLA, Duchess of Cornwall, was showered with gifts when she and husband Prince Charles met Osei Tutu II, the king of Ghana’s Asante people, during the pair’s Royal tour of the West African country.
Camille, Duchess of Cornwall shares a joke with one of the dignitaries (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
And she also found time to buy three sets of traditional African drums “for her grandchildren”.
Camilla looked suitably pleased after being presented with a kente scarf and bag by the king’s wife Lady Julia during a visit to the Manhiya Palace, the official residence of the king, during the course of a large gathering to mark the Akwasidae Festival.
Traditionally woven by men, Kente cloth is highly symbolic for the Ghanaian people, with the different colours have various meanings.
She then went on a shopping spree at the National Cultural Centre in the city of Kumasi, during which she snapped up three drums, which she explained would be presents for her grandchildren when she returns home, as well as an ornately carved wooden giraffe.
She also checked out various paintings, including a portrait of herself, which she proclaimed to be “a great likeness”.
Meanwhile, Charles was given a tour of the massive new Kumasi Market, where he was introduced to the so-called “Queen Mothers”, who represent the 10,000 people who trade there.
Charles and Camilla sat for an hour and a half in frazzling temperatures of more than 30C as various leaders of the Ashante people paid their respects during a ceremony presided over by the king himself.
Chiefs clad in bright robes and head-dresses put on a colourful display as loud music played in the background.
Camilla bought three traditional African drums (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Camilla was presented with gifts including a traditional kente scarf (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
It gives my wife and myself the greatest possible pleasure to be here
Richard Palmer, the Daily Express’s Royal reporter, tweeted a video of the scene, adding: “It was a bit chaotic. This was one of the calmer moments.”
Camilla, 71, used a fan to keep herself cool as she shook hands with the many dignitaries, while Charles, 69, who was protected from the sun’s rays by a parasol, delivered a speech.
He said: “Your Majesty, it gives my wife and myself the greatest possible pleasure to be here in the Ashante Kingdom, and to join you, Your Majesty, and the Ashante people for the celebrations of the Akwasi Dai, which I know is of such great significance to you all.
“I also have particularly fond memories of being here in 1977, when I was so graciously received by Your Majesty’s uncle, His Late Majesty Opuku Ware, and have long anticipated this opportunity to return.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall was afforded a right Royal welcone (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
“More recently, I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, Your Majesty, and of joining you at Glasgow University in 2001 at the ceremony to mark the university’s 550th anniversary, when we were both awarded Honorary Doctorates.
“On this visit to Ghana as we celebrate a partnership between our two countries, as well as many special ties which binds us with our unique Commonwealth family, it was so important to my wife and to myself that we should come to Kumasi, to pay our respects to Your Majesty and to honour the traditions and values of your kingdom, which continues to play such an essential role in Ghana’s vibrant democracy.
“We are both tremendously touched by the warmth of the welcome that we have received here today and can only say how much we admire and appreciate its wonderful celebration of your culture.
“Your Majesty, in honour of the traditions and customs of the Ashante, I have brought with me gifts to present to Your Majesty… Medaase Paaa (Thank You).”
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles with King Osei Tutu II (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Prince Charles presented the king with a table hand-made by one of his charities, Turquoise Mountain, as well as a photograph of the couple.
The Royals kicked off their tour of Africa in Gambia on Friday.
After arriving in Ghana on Saturday, the pair joined up with Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, and Charles’s son, who is in Ghana to attend events in his role as Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Foundation, for a wreath laying ceremony at The Christiansborg War Cemetery.
Tomorrow they will head to Nigeria, where they will be welcomed by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
