In Washington, Charles and Camilla champion key causes

Nov 3, 2005, 23:51 GMT

Washington - Britain's Prince Charles was honoured Thursday for promoting architecture that stops urban blight and Duchess Camilla talked about osteoporosis as both British royals delved into topics close to their heart.

The day after a lavish dinner with U.S. President George W. Bush, Charles and Camilla raised social and health issues as they continued their first venture abroad since their April wedding.

Accepting an architecture award at Washington's National Building Museum, Charles noted his love of organic gardening and said there is 'a profound need to move toward architecture and planning which similarly reconnects reconnects the human and natural world.'

The museum awarded him its Vincent Scully Prize, established in 1999 and named after a distinguished U.S. art history professor. It cited the prince's belief 'that more should be done to create urban areas with human scale that encourage a sense of community'.

Charles, 57, has been outspoken on building design and community planning for years, including in his 1989 book 'A Vision of Britain'. Arguing that post-World War II urban building projects often spawned crime and social isolation, he also launched a foundation that promotes traditional urban design and architecture.

'In the same way that our food and the way it is produced can tell a special story, so our buildings should tell the irresistible story of human character and idiosyncrasies,' Charles told Wednesday's audience.

Earlier, the Duchess of Cornwall gave her first public speech on foreign soil since marrying the heir to the British throne. At the U.S. National Institutes of Health, she championed the fight against osteoporosis, a bone-wasting disease.

Camilla, 58, whose mother died of complications from the disease, met several patients and attended a seminar where she made a plea for researchers to press ahead in the fight against osteoporosis. The duchess heads Britain's National Osteoporosis Society.

Wednesday night, the royal couple were guests of honour at a House dinner hosted by Bush and U.S. first lady Laura Bush, where Charles - who champions environmental causes - made what appeared to be a mildly political comment.

Addressing Bush during a dinner speech, he said 'so many people throughout the world look to the United States of America for a lead on the most crucial issues that face our planet and, indeed, the lives of our grandchildren'.

'Truly, the burdens of the world rest on your shoulders,' the prince said.

The British royals began their U.S. tour Tuesday at the former site of the World Trade Centre, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Other stops include New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, and San Francisco, where Charles will visit a farmers' market with organic produce and meet Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. Charles said he also plans to meet World War II veterans Friday.