Duchess of Cornwall

2:46 pm, Sat 16 Mar 2013 Camilla comments in Saudi change

Camilla: There are a lot of very powerful women here

The Duchess of Cornwall has met some of the first ever Saudi Arabian female members of parliament. Greeting them at the lavishly decorated Majlis Ash Shura, she said:

Beneath all those pretty smiles there are a lot of very powerful women here.

2:43 pm, Sat 16 Mar 2013 Camilla comments in Saudi change

Historic moment in Saudi for Prince Charles and Camilla

The Duchess of Cornwall shared a joke with new women parliamentarians in Saudi Credit: ITV News/Tim Ewart

Duchess meets woman appointed to Saudi parliament

The Duchess of Cornwall has met the first woman to be appointed to Saudi Arabia's parliament. 30-year-old Majlis Ash Shura said it was an honour to welcome British royalty. Camilla joked how the building was much lighter than the House of Commons.

Camilla at Saudi's parliament building today Credit: ITV News/Georgina Brewer

10:22 am, Sat 16 Mar 2013 Camilla comments in Saudi change

Duchess of Cornwall at Saudi Arabia's parliament

Duchess of Cornwall at the parliament building in Saudi Arabia Credit: ITV News/Georgina Brewer

Inside the Saudi's parliament building Credit: ITV News/Georgina Brewer

9:39 am, Sat 16 Mar 2013 Camilla comments in Saudi change

Camilla meets Saudi Arabia's female politicians

Inside Saudi Arabia's Majlis as-Shura, or Shura Council Credit: ITV News/Georgina Brewer

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are visiting the Saudi Arabia's Shura Council as part of their nine-day tour of the Middle East.

The Duchess has been meeting some of the first female members of the body which advises the government on new legislation.

In January, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah appointed women to a fifth of the 150 seats in the Council for the first time.

Prince Charles and Camilla will also pay visits to a women's university and a business event today.

10:04 am, Thu 14 Mar 2013 Camilla comments in Saudi change

Charles learning to speak Arabic

The Prince of Wales speaks French, some German, and has had tuition in Welsh Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

The Prince of Wales has revealed he is having Arabic lessons.

Charles told guests at a reception in Qatar that the language "goes in one ear and out the other", but an aide disclosed that he has been having private tuition for more than six months.