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A Princely Visit for King Middle School By JAKOB SCHILLER

Tuesday November 08, 2005

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, made it a priority to tour Berkeley’s student-run Edible Garden at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School Monday as part of a week-long tour of the United States, in part devoted to exploring environmental issues, such as organic farming. 

Led by Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters, whose foundation funds and helps guide the garden, the tour included a viewing of the one-acre project, which teaches students about nutrition, community and stewardship.  

The royal couple visited students demonstrating an outdoor wood-fire oven to prepare pizzas, using ingredients harvested from the garden. In the kitchen they met students preparing a harvest soup. As Camilla left, she carried bouquets of flowers also harvested from the garden.  

“I’m honored that he came,” Waters said. “His visit gives the garden real legitimacy.” 

Waters said she and the Prince of Wales have discussed the possibility of trying to implement a similar model in schools throughout his country. 

“That’s where this needs to go,” she said. 

In typical Berkeley fashion, the royal couple were met by several groups who lined the streets outside the school to protest various issues. About two dozen members of the Ethiopian community gathered with signs and chants protesting British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s support for Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, whom they accused of election fraud and human rights violations. Police paced the roofs of the school, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd. 

Among the people who gathered across the street was Dewi Zarni, 6, a first-grader at Berkwood Hedge Elementary, who sat on her mom’s shoulders and held a sign covered with little bugs that read “Make Gardens Not War.” When asked why all the bugs, she said, “Because war really bugs me.” 

Next to her, Tammy Borchert wore a bear suit to protest what her organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says is the inhumane killing of Canadian black bears that are used to make the hats for the Royal Guard. 

Many others, however, were just out to see royalty. Neighbors sat on their porches and drank coffee and camera flashes started popping as soon as the couple got out of their car.  

On their way out of the garden Charles and Camilla passed by nervous students who lined up to shake hands. As the couple walked down the line, the middle school band serenaded them with jazz tunes. 

“It was pretty cool,” said Austin Perkins, a seventh-grade drummer in the band. “I’ll probably be the only one in my family to ever play for the Prince of England.”