Charles and Camilla stroll in central Belfast

Camilla Parker-Bowles succumbed to Scandinavian delicacies tonight as she joined the Prince of Wales for an impromptu walkabout in central Belfast.

On her first visit to the North since the Royal couple’s marriage, Camilla munched on a ginger thin biscuit from a continental Christmas market pitched outside City Hall.

As Prince Charles chatted with crowds of well-wishers, his wife made a dart for the Top of Lapland stall which also specialises in Swedish Glogg, a traditional winter warmer.

Johnny Olofsson (aged 22) who helps run the stand, said: “Camilla tried some of our biscuits and I think she liked them.

“She said if she had more time she would have bought some.”

The couple went outside after attending a reception in the marble hallways of city hall.

They were welcomed by Lady Carswell, Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, and accompanied by Lord Mayor Wallace Browne and UK Secretary of State Peter Hain as they met councillors apart from Sinn Féin representatives, who did not attend.

Mr Browne said: “It was a very relaxed visit. Prince Charles realises city hall will be celebrating its centenary next year and he’s very interested in architecture.

“It was also marvellous that they found time to visit the market.”

Progressive Unionist councillor David Ervine was equally charmed by the couple.

“Camilla’s been through a hard time, yet she seems to be quite a gracious person.

“It was good to welcome them here and show Belfast off in a good light.”

For Alban Maginness of the nationalist SDLP, it was a chance to talk to the Prince about an old friend.

“Derek Hill is a good friend of the Prince, who taught him painting, and I was able to tell him he did my portrait when I was Lord Mayor.”

Members of Strandtown Primary School choir and the Belfast School of Music’s Youth Chorale both performed for the royal visitors.

During their visit the prince and the duchess, who was wearing an airforce blue overcoat, were presented with a gift of an Irish Linen Table Set and posy of flowers.

But it was once they went outside, in the chilly night air, that the couple thrilled the public.

Young members of a Boys’ Brigade company from Ormeau Road, south Belfast, exchanged chat about what might be in their respective Christmas stockings.

Ryan O’Neill (aged 11) heard the Duchess tell him that she hoped Santa brought everything on his wishlist.

And eight-year-old David Cullen recalled: “She said have a good Christmas and I said ‘Right, you too’.”