• Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, leave Jordan to fly to Egypt on the third day of their tour of the Middle East. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, leave Jordan to fly to Egypt on the third day of their tour of the Middle East. Reuters
  • The Prince of Wales and the duchess flew from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Reuters
    The Prince of Wales and the duchess flew from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Reuters
  • Prince Charles and Camilla attend a centenary celebration of the founding of the Jordanian state at the Jordan Museum in Amman. AFP
    Prince Charles and Camilla attend a centenary celebration of the founding of the Jordanian state at the Jordan Museum in Amman. AFP
  • The royal couple arrive at the celebration. AFP
    The royal couple arrive at the celebration. AFP
  • Prince Charles and Camilla are on a three-day visit to the country. EPA
    Prince Charles and Camilla are on a three-day visit to the country. EPA
  • Prince Charles and Camilla are welcomed to the centenary celebration. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla are welcomed to the centenary celebration. Reuters
  • Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, talks with a Jordanian army member. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, talks with a Jordanian army member. Reuters
  • Prince Charles addresses the crowds. Reuters
    Prince Charles addresses the crowds. Reuters
  • Prince Charles and Camilla arrive with British Ambassador to Jordan, Bridget Brind, and British Council Director in Jordan, Summer Xia. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla arrive with British Ambassador to Jordan, Bridget Brind, and British Council Director in Jordan, Summer Xia. Reuters
  • Prince Charles and Camilla with British Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind and Jordanian Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla with British Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind and Jordanian Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. Reuters
  • Prince Charles chuckles as a woman shows a portrait of him, during a visit to the UNHCR Community Support Centre in Al Nuzha, Jordan. Reuters
    Prince Charles chuckles as a woman shows a portrait of him, during a visit to the UNHCR Community Support Centre in Al Nuzha, Jordan. Reuters
  • Prince Charles visits the Royal Scientific Society in Amman, Jordan. Reuters
    Prince Charles visits the Royal Scientific Society in Amman, Jordan. Reuters
  • Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds a tap given to her by plumber Khawla Al-Sheikh, during a foundation event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
    Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds a tap given to her by plumber Khawla Al-Sheikh, during a foundation event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
  • Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds Sarah Abu Ameerah as she attends an event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
    Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds Sarah Abu Ameerah as she attends an event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
  • Camilla visits Princess Taghreed Secondary Girls School in Amman. Getty Images
    Camilla visits Princess Taghreed Secondary Girls School in Amman. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles plants a tree in Umm Qais, Jordan. Reuters
    Prince Charles plants a tree in Umm Qais, Jordan. Reuters
  • Prince Charles visits the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais. EPA
    Prince Charles visits the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais. EPA
  • Prince Charles and Camilla pose for a photo as they visit the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais, 110km north of Amman. EPA
    Prince Charles and Camilla pose for a photo as they visit the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais, 110km north of Amman. EPA
  • Prince Charles and Camilla tour the ancient site of Umm Qais in Jordan. AP
    Prince Charles and Camilla tour the ancient site of Umm Qais in Jordan. AP
  • Prince Charles and Camilla during a walking tour of the ancient Roman city of Gadara. Getty Images
    Prince Charles and Camilla during a walking tour of the ancient Roman city of Gadara. Getty Images
  • The royal couple, pictured at Umm Qais, are on the first leg of a tour of the Middle East. Getty Images
    The royal couple, pictured at Umm Qais, are on the first leg of a tour of the Middle East. Getty Images
  • Charles and Camilla are accompanied by Jordan's Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad on a visit to Gadara, Umm Qais. AFP
    Charles and Camilla are accompanied by Jordan's Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad on a visit to Gadara, Umm Qais. AFP
  • ‘It was particularly special to visit such a significant place,’ said Prince Charles of the visit. Getty Images
    ‘It was particularly special to visit such a significant place,’ said Prince Charles of the visit. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles and Camilla visit Elijah's Hill, near the baptism site along the Jordan River in Amman. Getty Images
    Prince Charles and Camilla visit Elijah's Hill, near the baptism site along the Jordan River in Amman. Getty Images
  • The royals visit the baptism site of Al Maghtas, where Jesus is believed by Christians to have been baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. EPA
    The royals visit the baptism site of Al Maghtas, where Jesus is believed by Christians to have been baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. EPA
  • The royals listen to a tour guide during their visit to Al Maghtas. EPA
    The royals listen to a tour guide during their visit to Al Maghtas. EPA
  • The royals meet Jordan's King Abdullah II, centre, and Queen Rania. Photo: RHCJO Twitter
    The royals meet Jordan's King Abdullah II, centre, and Queen Rania. Photo: RHCJO Twitter
  • The Prince of Wales at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman. PA
    The Prince of Wales at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman. PA
  • The British royals visit Al Maghtas, the site where Christians believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. AP
    The British royals visit Al Maghtas, the site where Christians believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. AP
  • Prince Charles writes in a visitor book during his visit to Al Maghtas as the Duchess of Cornwall looks on. AFP
    Prince Charles writes in a visitor book during his visit to Al Maghtas as the Duchess of Cornwall looks on. AFP
  • The Duchess of Cornwall and Jordan's Queen Rania travel to their next engagement, in Amman. Reuters
    The Duchess of Cornwall and Jordan's Queen Rania travel to their next engagement, in Amman. Reuters
  • The trip comes as Jordan celebrates the centenary of its founding. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
    The trip comes as Jordan celebrates the centenary of its founding. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
  • Prince Charles with Camilla, King Abdullah and Queen Rania. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
    Prince Charles with Camilla, King Abdullah and Queen Rania. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
  • Prince Charles and Camilla are received by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, King Abdullah's cousin and adviser, at Queen Alia International Airport. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla are received by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, King Abdullah's cousin and adviser, at Queen Alia International Airport. Reuters
  • Prince Charles is introduced to senior officials. Reuters
    Prince Charles is introduced to senior officials. Reuters
  • The British royals are in Jordan on a three-day trip. Reuters
    The British royals are in Jordan on a three-day trip. Reuters
  • The plane carrying Prince Charles and Camilla arrives at the international airport in Amman on Tuesday. Reuters
    The plane carrying Prince Charles and Camilla arrives at the international airport in Amman on Tuesday. Reuters

Prince Charles and Camilla visit Roman city in Jordan


Khaled Yacoub Oweis
  • English
  • Arabic

Read the latest from Prince Charles and Camilla's visit to the Middle East here

Britain's Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, walked around the picturesque Roman ruins of Gadara in northern Jordan on the second day of their Middle East tour.

The city of Gadara was a major Roman outpost in the Middle East, strategically located in a plateau overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. It is a two-hour drive north-west of Amman.

The kingdom of 10 million people was established as the British protectorate of Transjordan 100 years ago. The country was granted independence in 1946 and renamed the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan but it has kept close ties with Britain and the US.

Prince Charles, who was wearing a khaki suit while at Gadara, said "it was particularly special to visit such a significant place.

His visit to Jordan went ahead despite ongoing concerns over Queen Elizabeth II's health. But Prince Charles said his mother is "alright”.

“Once you get to 95, it’s not quite as easy as it used to be. It’s bad enough at 73,” he told Sky News in Gadara.

Local media have mostly given only brief coverage to the visit by the royal couple, who met met King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Tuesday at Al Husseiniya palace near Amman.

Raed Nasser, a mechanic in Amman who has family in Britain, said that he watched a news item on the couple at Al Husseiniya palace but did not hear more about their activities in Jordan.

"If I had known Charles personally I might have checked for more news on them," he said.

Among other members of the Jordanian Royal Family met by Charles and Camilla was Princess Dana Firas, who advocates for nature preservation. She is the wife of Prince Firas Bin Raad, whose father is a cousin of King Talal, the king's grandfather.

The princess accompanied Charles and Camilla on a tour of Gadara and asked Prince Charles about his participation in the latest climate conference this month in Glasgow, known as Cop26.

"Quite a lot of success, I think,” the prince said.

On Tuesday, the royal couple visited the site on the Jordan River where Jesus is believed to have been baptised.

Touring Elijah's Hill, the couple saw excavations around the muddy river, near the place where John the Baptist and Jesus met, according to Christian teachings.

Prince Charles and Camilla dipped their fingers in the water.

The royal couple arrived in Jordan on Tuesday morning to start a two-day visit that includes meetings with humanitarian groups and officials from charities linked to Prince Charles.

The British royals will head to Egypt on Thursday, where they are scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

  • Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, leave Jordan to fly to Egypt on the third day of their tour of the Middle East. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, leave Jordan to fly to Egypt on the third day of their tour of the Middle East. Reuters
  • The Prince of Wales and the duchess flew from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Reuters
    The Prince of Wales and the duchess flew from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Reuters
  • Prince Charles and Camilla attend a centenary celebration of the founding of the Jordanian state at the Jordan Museum in Amman. AFP
    Prince Charles and Camilla attend a centenary celebration of the founding of the Jordanian state at the Jordan Museum in Amman. AFP
  • The royal couple arrive at the celebration. AFP
    The royal couple arrive at the celebration. AFP
  • Prince Charles and Camilla are on a three-day visit to the country. EPA
    Prince Charles and Camilla are on a three-day visit to the country. EPA
  • Prince Charles and Camilla are welcomed to the centenary celebration. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla are welcomed to the centenary celebration. Reuters
  • Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, talks with a Jordanian army member. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, talks with a Jordanian army member. Reuters
  • Prince Charles addresses the crowds. Reuters
    Prince Charles addresses the crowds. Reuters
  • Prince Charles and Camilla arrive with British Ambassador to Jordan, Bridget Brind, and British Council Director in Jordan, Summer Xia. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla arrive with British Ambassador to Jordan, Bridget Brind, and British Council Director in Jordan, Summer Xia. Reuters
  • Prince Charles and Camilla with British Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind and Jordanian Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla with British Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind and Jordanian Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. Reuters
  • Prince Charles chuckles as a woman shows a portrait of him, during a visit to the UNHCR Community Support Centre in Al Nuzha, Jordan. Reuters
    Prince Charles chuckles as a woman shows a portrait of him, during a visit to the UNHCR Community Support Centre in Al Nuzha, Jordan. Reuters
  • Prince Charles visits the Royal Scientific Society in Amman, Jordan. Reuters
    Prince Charles visits the Royal Scientific Society in Amman, Jordan. Reuters
  • Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds a tap given to her by plumber Khawla Al-Sheikh, during a foundation event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
    Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds a tap given to her by plumber Khawla Al-Sheikh, during a foundation event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
  • Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds Sarah Abu Ameerah as she attends an event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
    Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and president of the Women of the World Foundation, holds Sarah Abu Ameerah as she attends an event at Manara Arts and Culture gallery in Amman. Getty Images
  • Camilla visits Princess Taghreed Secondary Girls School in Amman. Getty Images
    Camilla visits Princess Taghreed Secondary Girls School in Amman. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles plants a tree in Umm Qais, Jordan. Reuters
    Prince Charles plants a tree in Umm Qais, Jordan. Reuters
  • Prince Charles visits the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais. EPA
    Prince Charles visits the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais. EPA
  • Prince Charles and Camilla pose for a photo as they visit the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais, 110km north of Amman. EPA
    Prince Charles and Camilla pose for a photo as they visit the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara, Umm Qais, 110km north of Amman. EPA
  • Prince Charles and Camilla tour the ancient site of Umm Qais in Jordan. AP
    Prince Charles and Camilla tour the ancient site of Umm Qais in Jordan. AP
  • Prince Charles and Camilla during a walking tour of the ancient Roman city of Gadara. Getty Images
    Prince Charles and Camilla during a walking tour of the ancient Roman city of Gadara. Getty Images
  • The royal couple, pictured at Umm Qais, are on the first leg of a tour of the Middle East. Getty Images
    The royal couple, pictured at Umm Qais, are on the first leg of a tour of the Middle East. Getty Images
  • Charles and Camilla are accompanied by Jordan's Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad on a visit to Gadara, Umm Qais. AFP
    Charles and Camilla are accompanied by Jordan's Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad on a visit to Gadara, Umm Qais. AFP
  • ‘It was particularly special to visit such a significant place,’ said Prince Charles of the visit. Getty Images
    ‘It was particularly special to visit such a significant place,’ said Prince Charles of the visit. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles and Camilla visit Elijah's Hill, near the baptism site along the Jordan River in Amman. Getty Images
    Prince Charles and Camilla visit Elijah's Hill, near the baptism site along the Jordan River in Amman. Getty Images
  • The royals visit the baptism site of Al Maghtas, where Jesus is believed by Christians to have been baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. EPA
    The royals visit the baptism site of Al Maghtas, where Jesus is believed by Christians to have been baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. EPA
  • The royals listen to a tour guide during their visit to Al Maghtas. EPA
    The royals listen to a tour guide during their visit to Al Maghtas. EPA
  • The royals meet Jordan's King Abdullah II, centre, and Queen Rania. Photo: RHCJO Twitter
    The royals meet Jordan's King Abdullah II, centre, and Queen Rania. Photo: RHCJO Twitter
  • The Prince of Wales at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman. PA
    The Prince of Wales at the Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman. PA
  • The British royals visit Al Maghtas, the site where Christians believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. AP
    The British royals visit Al Maghtas, the site where Christians believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, on the Jordan River. AP
  • Prince Charles writes in a visitor book during his visit to Al Maghtas as the Duchess of Cornwall looks on. AFP
    Prince Charles writes in a visitor book during his visit to Al Maghtas as the Duchess of Cornwall looks on. AFP
  • The Duchess of Cornwall and Jordan's Queen Rania travel to their next engagement, in Amman. Reuters
    The Duchess of Cornwall and Jordan's Queen Rania travel to their next engagement, in Amman. Reuters
  • The trip comes as Jordan celebrates the centenary of its founding. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
    The trip comes as Jordan celebrates the centenary of its founding. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
  • Prince Charles with Camilla, King Abdullah and Queen Rania. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
    Prince Charles with Camilla, King Abdullah and Queen Rania. Photo: @RHCJO via Twitter
  • Prince Charles and Camilla are received by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, King Abdullah's cousin and adviser, at Queen Alia International Airport. Reuters
    Prince Charles and Camilla are received by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, King Abdullah's cousin and adviser, at Queen Alia International Airport. Reuters
  • Prince Charles is introduced to senior officials. Reuters
    Prince Charles is introduced to senior officials. Reuters
  • The British royals are in Jordan on a three-day trip. Reuters
    The British royals are in Jordan on a three-day trip. Reuters
  • The plane carrying Prince Charles and Camilla arrives at the international airport in Amman on Tuesday. Reuters
    The plane carrying Prince Charles and Camilla arrives at the international airport in Amman on Tuesday. Reuters
Updated: November 18, 2021, 8:53 AM