Prince Charles and Camilla were greeted by cheers and applaude as they arrived at St John and St Anne Almshouses in Oakham – the first stop on their visit to Rutland which also took in Oakham town centre, Oakham Castle and Rutland Water.
The Royal couple arrived by helicopter and were driven the short distance to the Almshouses – which house elderly people – to be met by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Laurence Howard and other guests.
Resident Connie Flaherty, who showed the Duchess how the game of Rummkub was played, said: "She seemed very interested."
Speaking to the only man in the team, Ray Wilkins, Camilla said: "There are lots of women here, you must be spoilt for choice."
To which Mr Wilkins replied: "I'm in great demand."
Linda Brown, who has been resident at the Almshouses for three "happy" years and was among those who were introduced the couple said the visit was a "delight".
The next stage of the visit saw the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall welcomed to Oakham town centre where shops and businesses were decked in flags and bunting.
The Market Place and High Street ground to a halt as well-wishers, in crowds up to 10 deep, lined the route and the couple arrived to cheers and the sound of the bells ringing out from All Saints' Church.
They spent around half an hour chatting to stallholders and members of the public.
Mother and daughter Linda and Tracy Corby, of Oakham, arrived an hour early in Market Place to get a prime spot.
Linda said: "It was lovely and I'm so glad we came. They asked if we were from Oakham and how long we've lived here. They also commented on what a lovely market town Oakham is."
Stallholder Nick Hamilton, of Barnsdale Gardens, said: "They asked about the gardens and what we do. I've invited them to visit."
The Royals also chatted to staff from Hambleton Bakery and went away clutching a loaf and selection of afternoon teacakes.
Owner Tim Hart said: "Camilla was very keen to take away a chocolate brownie as there wasn't a slot in their schedule for lunch."
Royal fan Jennifer Roche, of Cold Overton Road, Oakham, was also among the crowds.
She said: "When I heard who was coming I was quite excited. I like the Royal family because it's something not many other countries have – it's very British."
Camilla, who was dressed in a cream dress with grey floral pattern, a cream jacket and cream wedges, charmed the crowd as she stopped to oblige following cries of "Can we have a selfie?".
Heading into the grounds of Oakham Castle, they were welcomed by the sound of singing by local schoolchildren, before the Duchess presented a ceremonial horseshoe.
It is a tradition for senior members of the Royal family to present a horseshoe to the castle when they visit the town for the first time, and Camilla's was hung next to the one presented by her husband in 2003.
In the castle grounds several groups involved in the Step up to Serve campaign greeted the royals. The campaign was launched by the Prince of Wales in November 2013 with the aim of doubling the number of young people who take part in volunteering and campaigning activities.
Organisations represented included Kendrew Barracks and St George's Barracks, cadets, GirlGuiding and Active Rutland.
Nine-year-old Marcie Hearth, of 5th Oakham Brownies, presented Prince Charles with a bouquet of flowers.
She said: "It was a great experience. Charles said thank you for the flowers and wanted to know what activities we have been doing."
They were then driven to Rutland Water where the Royal couple split with Prince Charles taking a walk through the reserve and Camilla staying at the bird visitor centre.
She met children from Oakham CofE Primary School who were drawing bugs and making a water-cycle mobile.
The final stop was to meet children from Brooke Hill Academy, preparing to walk a mile as part of Walk a Country Mile, a Prince's Countryside Fund initiative.
The Duchess asked four-year-old Matthew Castle: "Are you going for a long walk?"
It took a little encouragement before the youngster nodded his head in agreement.
Reserve manager Tim Appleton said: "It's been a splendid day – for the reserve, the Wildlife Trust and the partnership between the Trust and Anglian Water."
