WINCHESTER welcomed a Royal VIP today(Thursday, February 21) as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, embarked on a tour of the city.

The Duchess, dressed all in green, is making three stops, the first of which was at the city's new Discovery Centre in Jewry Street.

She was greeted by dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan, and spent more than an hour touring the revamped library, which cost £7m.

The Duchess met youngsters from St Bede Primary School in the children's library and was all smiles as she joined in as Anne Marley, Hampshire County Council's children and schools services manager, told them stories.

Eight-year-old Beth Callister said the Duchess was the first Royal she had met.

"I was very happy, because I like to speak to them. It was exciting," she said.

The Duchess then visited the City Space exhibition room and saw the huge textile piece put together for the centre by Winchester artist, Alice Kettle.

On her way round, the Duchess met members of staff, including Margaret Gregory, 49, who has worked at the library since 1975.

Mrs Gregory said: "I have never had anything like this before. She asked me how long I had worked here and she wanted to know what it was like working here and whether I enjoyed it," she said.

The Duchess also watched a session put on by members of the Theatre Royal's education workshop group and visited the IT room, which was being used for a weekly class for the visually impaired.

Finally, she was shown around the King Alfred exhibition that the centre is hosting, before unveiling a plaque to officially open the centre.

The Duchess said: "It's a fantastic centre and I hope I shall be asked back again one day to see more of it.

"Congratulations to everyone involved."

Next stop was the Bendicks chocolate factory at Winnall, where the Duchess was welcomed by managing director Paul Seftel.

She was then introduced to the other Bendicks directors before being whisked off for a tour around the factory and to meet staff.

On her arrival the Duchess said to Mr Seftel that she was a great fan of Bendicks chocolate.

The company has a long history of supplying the royal family and received its royal charter in 1962.

Mr Seftel said he was honoured and delighted by the Duchess's visit.

Bendicks receptionist Carol Harris, from Colden Common, has worked at the factory for four years.

She said: "It is the first time I have been that close to a royal. I saw the Queen in Eastleigh many years ago. I was really excited by the visit and had been looking forward to it. I have often had the palace on the phone ordering chocolates."

After her tour, the Duchess was presented with a yard of chocolate by Mr Seftel.

She then headed to the Hospital of St Cross to partake in the Wayfarer's Dole', which as tradition has it, is made up of beer and bread.

The Duchess was given a sample of Fullers ale by the porter, and then headed to the gardens. Once outside, she planted a small tree close to where the Queen Mother planted a Magnolia back in 1986.

The Duchess was then given a tour of the 12th century Church of St Cross by the Reverend Redge Sweet.

Lizzie Bunnage, 10, a pupil at St Faith's Primary School, St Cross, was part of the crowd that had gathered outside the gates to greet Camilla.

"She asked us how our half term was going and we said good but we were going back on Monday'.

"She said it was nice to meet us and that she hoped we were making the best of our time. She was very nice and very pretty," she said.