THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall received a warm welcome from the crowds - and the weather - as they visited the Sandringham Flower Show.The couple spent more than two hours touring the marquees, stands and displays and talking to some of

THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall received a warm welcome from the crowds - and the weather - as they visited the Sandringham Flower Show.

The couple spent more than two hours touring the marquees, stands and displays and talking to some of the thousands of visitors who flocked to the Royal estate in sweltering sunshine.

Despite the heat, Prince Charles carried his white Panama hat for most of the day while the Duchess, on her sixth visit to the show, combined a summery cream dress with sunglasses and a dainty matching parasol.

After arriving on Queen Victoria's horse-drawn carriage, the Prince and the Duchess studied the prizewinning flowers, plants, vegetables and herbs in the Royal marquees

Renowned rose breeder Peter Beales presented the Duchess with a pink climbing rose named after the actor Sir John Mills.

"The Prince loved the stand and loved the colour combinations," he said. "The roses were fragranced which pleased Camilla and the Prince - they were extremely talkative."

The Royal walkabout then moved on to other stands including the National Osteoporosis Society and the Army Air Corps.

Among the Prince's guests was actress Dame Judi Dench, who matched the Royals in drawing affectionate cheers from the crowd on her second visit to the show.

"I love it here," she said. "It is only for a day, which seems an awful waste.

"I have a beautiful garden at home but it is done by a husband and wife who come in and do it for me so I am extremely spoilt. I can just sit in it and enjoy it."

At the Sandringham Women's Institute tent, the Duchess bought a selection of home-made cakes and a 50p raffle ticket - giving her a chance to win the first prize of a set of six Faberge coffee cups donated by her mother-in-law, the Queen.

And at another stand, the Prince showed great interest as members of the West Norfolk and King's Lynn Beekeepers Association discussed the declining bee population.

Barry Walker-Moore, 62, dressed as his alter-ego Barry the Bee, said: "Prince Charles obviously knows about it because he keeps bees himself and is very clued-up.

"I asked him to sign a petition. He said he couldn't, but he fully supports what we are doing.

"The Duchess was more concerned about my health - I can assure you it is extremely hot in this costume."

Show committee chairman David Reeve said: "Today has gone superbly well. As always, both the Prince and the Duchess take such an interest and really lift the competitors who worked so hard.

"They are always very knowledgeable about plants and garden design - they are very well-informed.