Red carpet rolls for royal couple during U.S. trip

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They arrive in Washington today loaded down with a wardrobe of 50 dresses (for her) and double-breasted tweeds, ties and tux (for him); 20 servants; makeup artists; and an entourage of 50 members of the British press at an estimated cost of close to a half-million dollars.

Prince Charles and his bride, Camilla, the duchess of Cornwall, will be feted with royal hospitality during their three-day visit to Washington.

Part charm offensive, part public-relations campaign to introduce the newly married couple, the British Foreign Office is sending its middle-aged envoys abroad to help repair the royal family's dysfunctional image.

"I think it will be seen as a sort of 'coming of age' of Charles and Camilla's relationship," said Alec Russell, Washington bureau chief for the London Daily Telegraph. "I think she'll probably get a very good reception. She's quite a grand and likable figure."

But not everyone is ready to embrace the 58-year-old woman who famously broke up the Prince of Wales' marriage to Princess Diana, who died in a 1997 car crash a year after the divorce. In love for about three decades, Charles and Camilla -- whose illicit late-night phone calls were recorded during his marriage to Diana -- finally tied the knot six months ago in England, and some suspect the wedding was hastened by the prince's previously scheduled U.S. trip.

A group of protesters plans to demonstrate against Charles' new bride.

"This is Diana country," said Lisa Stewart, a member of Diana Circle, a group of die-hard fans who are staunchly anti-Camilla.

Charles last made a trip to Washington in 2004 to attend former President Ronald Reagan's funeral. The prince's previous visit before that was in 1994.

Security will be tight, and more than 200 members of the press have credentials to cover the visit, including today's luncheon at the White House hosted by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush. There also will be a black-tie dinner tonight at the White House, where rumored guests include director Steven Spielberg.

The British Embassy is hosting a reception tomorrow night for the royal couple, who will fly to California on Friday for the weekend.