Britain's Prince Charles takes part in mumification

Jul 5, 2006, 16:01 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, helped disembowel a body during their visit to Wales.

The royal couple were visiting the Egypt centre at Swansea University yesterday (04.07.06), when they were approached by a group of schoolchildren.

The youngsters were in the centre for a history class, learning about mummification and did not hesitate to involve the VIP guests.

Charles and Camilla reportedly smiled, as the children lead them to the House of the Dead, where a volunteer was explaining how dead bodies were preserved in Egyptian times.

According to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, the royals joined the students - dressed in ancient costumes - as they removed 'organs' from a life-sized rubber 'body'.

Charles reportedly got into difficulty maneuvering the hook - used to remove the brain.

He was quoted as saying: 'What's all this business about using a hook to get the brains out? That is what really worries me.'

After having removed the organ, which was really a ball of grey wool, the prince proceeded to take out the liver.

The Duchess demonstrated great skill when removing the stomach, but was momentarily startled by her task.

As she reached inside the doll, she reportedly said: 'I've got hold of something very unpleasant. I think it has legs.'

Gaenor Marsh, volunteer at the centre, was quoted as saying: ''I was just explaining to the children how they mummified the body and preserved the organs.

'It wasn't pre-arranged that they should take part, I just asked him.

'I thought it was much better that they have a chance of taking part rather than just stand and listen to me talk.'

Charles and Camilla's relationship was caught in speculations this week, after a reported string of rows over Duchess's royal duties.

The pair - who married in April last year (05) - allegedly fell out because Camilla is refusing to take on a bigger role in the public life.

According to reports, Charles wants his spouse to make more appearances around the country, but she insists on keeping a relatively low profile.

After one recent bust-up, Camilla reportedly stormed out of their London home and cancelled several engagements, including a lunch at the couple's Highgrove home and a private function at the Royal Opera House in London.

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International