Charles Gladdened By Obama's Royal Thumbs-Up

President Barack Obama had some reassuring news for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall as he welcomed them to the White House.

During a chat in the Oval Office, Mr Obama told Charles that Americans are "quite fond" of the British royal family and much prefer them to US politicians.

The 66-year-old heir to the British throne, on his 20th visit to the US, replied: "It's awfully nice to know."

The two men last met almost four years ago when Charles flew to America a few days after the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince Charles and Mr Obama could be heard chatting on Thursday about Mount Vernon - the home of America's first president, George Washington, which the royals visited a day earlier.

Vice President Joe Biden also greeted the royal couple on day three of their four-day US tour.

Camilla sat smiling on the couch opposite Mr Biden, as her husband and the US president chatted in hushed tones while photographers snapped away.

Charles and Camilla, who arrived on Tuesday, have been visiting various cultural and educational sites in Washington DC.

Thursday's itinerary began with a visit to the US Armed Forces Retirement Home, where residents lined the corridors waiting to chat with the royal couple and Charles had a go at ten-pin bowling.

Later in the day, he visited a school for adult immigrants while Camilla toured a forensic sciences centre.

The couple head to Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday to tour an African-American cultural centre which celebrates the life of the city's most famous son, boxer Muhammad Ali.

The Prince of Wales will meet faith leaders and give a speech at the cathedral in Louisville.