Glamorous Camilla wows in a metallic kaftan as she is greeted by hundreds of well-wishers - hours after Charles sees the funny side of spending an afternoon aboard the HMS MIDDLETON 

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They are used to a rapturous welcome wherever they go but even Charles and Camilla couldn't have expected the enthusiastic crowd who met them this evening.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were met by an army of fans waving Union Jack flags as they arrived at an exhibition in Bahrain.

The pair, who are currently on a tour of the Gulf on behalf of the British Government, paused to shake the hands of young fans who awaited their arrival this evening.

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Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall dressed up to attend an exhibition and reception in Bahrain this evening 

The majority of the crowd were of school age so the Duchess had to duck a little in order to speak to them, many of whom had made banners in honour of their arrival.

Camilla, wowed in a metallic kaftan this evening accessorised with a pearl clutch and matching embroidered slippers. 

Tonight's reception was held at the British Embassy to celebrate the 200th anniversary of bilateral relationships between the United Kingdom and Bahrain.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were met by an army of fans waving Union Jack flags

The majority of the crowd were of school age so the Duchess had to duck a little in order to speak to them

The pair paused to shake the hands of young fans who awaited their arrival this evening

The couple have certainly been made to feel right at home by their hosts and were given a spooky reminder of their home turf earlier today when Charles visited the Mina Salman Naval Base.

While there the Prince of Wales boarded the HMS Middleton the namesake of his daughter-in-law Kate.

Although the ship shares the same name as the Duchess it was not named after Prince William's wife.

Camilla, wowed in a metallic kaftan this evening accessorised with a pearl clutch and matching embroidered slippers

While at the base Charles, who slipped into full naval uniform opened the welfare block of the HMS Jufair, as well as looking at the HMS Middleton - a ship that detects, investigates, and destroys sea-bed threats with high-powered sonar.

Charles could be seen chatting to naval officers aboard the vessel. 

His next engagement was a visit to Bahrain National Museum, where he will join a reception of 32 young Bahraini leaders. 

Earlier today the royal climbed aboard the HMS Middleton which shares the name of the Duchess of Cambridge 

Charles could be seen chatting to naval officers aboard the vessel on Thursday

The ship detects, investigates, and destroys sea-bed threats with high-powered sonar

Earlier today Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall shared a giggle as they visited the Krishna Temple in Bahrain on Thursday.  

The couple, who are currently on a tour of the Gulf on behalf of the British government, popped into the temple on what was a busy day of engagements after picking up some bargains at a local souk (market) in the country's capital, Manama.

Manama Souq in the old bazaar area of the city is home to shops teeming with local souvenirs, gold jewellery, rugs and textiles.

Charles looked to be in good spirits following a busy day of engagements on Thursday

The royal meets naval officers as he visits the Mina Salman Naval Support Facility

Charles donned a white naval uniform and sailor's hat for his next engagement on Thursday

Charles's next engagement is a visit to Bahrain National Museum, where he will join a reception of 32 young Bahraini leaders

Charles and Camilla share a giggle at the Krishna Temple, in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, on Thursday. The pair are visiting the country on behalf of the British government

The Duchess of Cornwall wore dusky pink kaftan on the latest leg of her tour of the Middle East, pairing the garment with a woven clutch, taffeta scarf and white pumps

Camilla, 69, who can never resist a bargain, took her husband into Ali Baba Cave Antiques where they snapped up a cushion and Russian-style dolls.

The shops is a family business and manager Abdul Waheed said: 'We were so honoured.'

At Bhashar Jewellery Charles asked the staff: 'Do you produce all this jewellery yourself? So many bracelets...'

The couple left empty-handed although Charles did call out: 'We know where you are!'

The souk has undergone a major redevelopment in recent years and gives visitors the opportunity to experience the rich local culture of Bahrain's capital. As they walked brought the bustling, chaotic street a band of Punjabi drummers played.

The royal couple, pictured at Krishna Temple, had a busy day on Thursday, visiting a local market as well as dropping in on a school and the Old Post Office

The pair wore matching garlands at the temple with Camilla adding a patriotic poppy

The couple were also introduced to craft makers displaying their wares including model dhows and pottery.

Earlier they visited the Post Office Museum, which displayed stamps commemorating historic moments in the history of the kingdoms of Bahrain and the UK. 

The Duchess of Cornwall wore dusky pink kaftan on the latest leg of her tour of the Middle East, pairing the garment with a woven clutch, taffeta scarf and white pumps.

The Duchess of Cornwall grins as she receives a garland of flowers on arrival at the Temple

The pair spoke to locals at the temple after visiting the Post Office Museum, which displayed stamps commemorating historic moments in the history of Bahrain and the UK

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall seemed engrossed as they learned about the temple

The Duchess inspects a brightly-coloured basket as she chats to locals at Krishna Temple

Later Charles and Camilla removed their shoes and wore floral garlands and yellow scarves for their visit to the Krishna Temple in Manama.

They toured the temple, which is the oldest Hindu temple in Bahrain, and learnt about the history of the Hindu community.

Camilla stopped and chatted to four women making garlands from jasmine and rose in the temple. ‘They smell fantastic, they are very, very nice,’ she said.

The couple went to a courtyard below the temple for a reception with members of different faith communities.

Ebrahim Noor, who was representing the Jewish community in Bahrain, handed the prince two notes worth 100 trillion dollars. ‘Thank you very much,’ Charles said.

The pair are carrying out engagements in Bahrain today as part of their tour of the Middle East

After visiting the temple, Charles will attend a private audience with Prince Khalifa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the prime minister of Bahrain

Mr Noor, who gave the heir to the throne one 50 trillion and one 50 trillion note for the Queen, said the notes came from Zimbabwe.

‘I gave him a souvenir - one for him and one for his mum,’ Mr Noor said. ‘They come from Zimbabwe where there is hyper inflation. When I gave them to him I think he had an idea they were from Africa. The numbers are ridiculous.’

Mr Noor said the Jewish community in Bahrain was between 45 and 50 people.

The pair wore floral garlands and yellow scarves for their visit to the Krishna Temple in Manama

The couple toured the temple, which is the oldest Hindu temple in Bahrain, and learnt about the history of the Hindu community

Charles  greets locals at 200-year-old Krishna Temple on an action-packed day for the royals

Local celebrities: Wellwishers take photos as Charles and Camilla visit Krishna Temple

Charles is surrounded by a sea of people as he tours the 200-year-old temple in Manama

‘It is a very beautiful feeling to see the royals here because a lot of us have grown up in the UK and have connections to the UK,’ he added.

‘To see them here as a very special moment. There's a lot of admiration for the royal family because the Queen holds the moral values that everybody seeks. People feel that she really is the most moral person of all.’ 

Later in the day Camilla visited St. Christopher's School, a not for profit British-style school that has more than 2,200 pupils from more than 70 countries.

At Bhashar Jewellery, Charles asked the staff: 'Do you produce all this jewellery yourself? So many bracelets...' and Camilla appeared to be eyeing up some of the pieces herself

Charles appeared to barter with a local jewellery seller at Manama Souq on Thursday

Picking up some bargains, Camilla? The Duchess appears to make off with a parasol at Manama Souq in the old bazaar area of the city

The pair inspect some local bargains at the market. Manama Souq in the old bazaar area of the city, is home to shops teeming with local souvenirs, gold jewellery, rugs and textiles

She was greeted by hundreds of smartly-dressed youngsters waving flags and cheering before going inside to watch youngsters make carrot cake and patriotic cup cakes. The Duchess was even given some to take home with her.

She was also persuaded to take part in a traditional Tudor feast as part of a school project, after being invited to sit down by 'Henry VIII'.

'Very impressive, ' said the Duchess. 'You are only 32 you know, so you have plenty of years yet. I'm just sorry I can't join your feast.' 

Meanwhile, Charles attended a private audience with Prince Khalifa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the prime minister of Bahrain.

Charles seemed particularly interested in some small wooden boats although the pair eventually left with some cushions and some Russian-style dolls

Camilla, 69, who can never resist a bargain, took her husband into Ali Baba Cave Antiques where they snapped up a cushion and Russian-style dolls

Charles and Camilla inspect a woven basket in a the souq market, Manama, on day three of their royal tour

The souk has undergone a major redevelopment in recent years and gives visitors the opportunity to experience the rich local culture of Bahrain's capital

He will then attend a discussion at Bin Mattar house in Muharraq on the topic of empowering communities for positive change.

The discussion will include a diverse group of Bahrain's society and cover a wide-range of issues including education and active citizenship.

Camilla then visited the Supreme Council for Women, which is chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, the king's wife.

It consists of 16 women from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. 

The Duchess said she was 'lost for words' at how 'impressive' their achievements were. She was accompanied, in a rare public appearance, by first of the King of Bahrain's four wives, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, who is president of the Council.

A warm welcome: The Duchess of Cornwall is greeted by flag-waving pupils at the St Christopher School

Camilla poses with pupils at St. Christopher's School, a not-for-profit British-style school that has more than 2,200 pupils from more than 70 countries

Warm welcome: As they walked brought the bustling, chaotic street a band of Punjabi drummers played and locals lined the streets to meet them

The royal couple chatted with locals as they visited a number of local landmarks including a local souk (market), Krishna Temple, and the city's Old Post Office

Camilla chatted to dozens of women from fields as diverse as the judiciary, the media, aviation and engineering, academics and medicine - and the country's first ever Paralympic medalist, Fatima Nizam, who won gold in the shotput at Rio.

The Secretary-General of the Council, Hala al Ansri, said: 'The strides we have made in recent years are immense. Of course there are areas we wish to improve in such as science, engineering, business and tourism, to enable us as a country to be not so reliant on oil. But we need to stop nagging about our rights and go out and seize the opportunities that are open to us. And believe me, there are many.

'The issues that face women here in Bahrain are no different to those that face women in any other country: our work/life balance and childcare for example. But the good thing is that we have the help so many senior men in business and other fields who are support and encouraging us.'

Speaking to Mail Online Princess Sabeeka added: 'We need the support of our families to go out and achieve. Family support is essential to a woman's success.'

Charles chats to local children waving Union Jack flags in the capital city

Later today, The Duchess will meet successful young business women, view their products and services and hear about setting up a company in Bahrain

Charles appeared to be in a jovial mood as he chatted to local children waving flags

Camilla also met with several successful young businesswomen who talked to her about the experience of being female entrepreneurs in Bahrain.

She was given armfuls of gifts by the women, including a beautiful silk scarf by anada, which she put on immediately, crockery and a basket of delicious local delicacies.

The Supreme Council for Women consists of sixteen women from a wide range of backgrounds who work with the Bahraini government and ensure that the status of women is given due prominence.

Camilla sits down to a meal with youngsters at at St Christopher's School in Manama

The Duchess appears to admire the red overcoat and hat worn by one youngster at the school

Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall unveil an enlarged version of two new stamps that have been designed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the UK Bahrain relationship

Government ministries are required to consult with the Council before taking any decisions that might impact on women and since its creation in 2001 Bahraini women have obtained the right to vote and participate in elections. 

The Duchess will meet successful young business women, view their products and services and hear about setting up a company in Bahrain.

She will then join a reception celebrating the achievements of about 80 successful Bahraini and non-Bahraini women in their fields.

Charles will visit Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, where he will speak with six members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. 

The couple at the at the Old Post Office Museum where they viewed an exhibition of historic stamps including the 1948 British Royal Silver Wedding stamp

Later, Camilla visited visit the Supreme Council for Women, which is chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, the king's wife (pictured)

Camilla meets young businesswomen, viewing their products and services and hearing about their experience of setting up a business in Bahrain, at the Supreme Council for Women

The mosque is the largest in the country and is capable of holding up to 7,000 worshippers.

He then made his way to the Sheikh Isa Cultural Centre to view a traditional and geometric art workshop with students from the University of Bahrain.