The Duchess of Cornwall received a colourful welcome to Morocco on Monday. Not long after arriving in the north African country with her husband Prince Charles, she was whisked away to enjoy a vibrant kaftan fashion show at Rabat's Villa des Arts.Camilla was able to see firsthand the creations of young Moroccan couturiers Alomi Kettami Adiba, Samita Haddouchi and Melkattani Amine.
And she was clearly impressed. After posing with some of the models from the runway show, she approached the designers to praise their work – and in exchange received a Moroccan-style wooden chest and a gold and purple patterned shawl.
Camilla was then introduced to a classroom of budding creatives, who were learning printing techniques, also at the Villa des Arts. "C'est beau," she said to the delight of the young students showcasing their work.
While the Duchess was busy discovering Morocco's thriving fashion industry, her husband was visiting the National Library where he met with business leaders to discuss opportunities for the country's young entrepreneurs.
They watched through binoculars as the men showcased their skills – the first parachutists were carrying the British and Moroccan flags.
Greeted at Rabat's airport by Prince Moulay Rachid – brother of King Mohammed VI – they then sat down to milk, pastries and dates, to symbolise their hosts' "sweet and pure intentions".As part of their warm reception, Charles and Camilla were also entertained by a display of 22 parachutists jumping from a plane and landing yards from where the royal visitors stood.
The British royal couple had arrived in Morocco together earlier that day, where they were welcomed in traditional style – with a glass of milk.
That evening, Charles and Camilla travelled to the private residence of King Mohammed, the Palais Dar Essalam.
Before going their separate ways that afternoon, the couple also paid a visit to the historic Mausoleum of Mohammed V, which was completed in 1971.It contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons, King Hassan II - the present king's father, buried there following his death in 1999 - and Prince Abdullah.
