Obama, Charles speak of popularity of royal family, American politicians

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday had a casual chat with visiting Prince Charles over the popularity of the British royal family and American politicians.

"I think it's fair to say that the American people are quite fond of the royal family," the president told the heir to the British throne and his wife Camilla before starting a formal meeting at the White House.

"That's awfully nice to know," replied the 66-year-old prince, who is on a four-day visit to the United States.

"They like them much better than they like their own politicians," Obama added.

"I don't believe that," replied Charles.

A bitter rivalry between the Democrat-led White House and Republican-controlled Congress has alienated many Americans and sparked their bad blood toward politicians from both ends of the spectrum.

Charles and his wife, officially known as Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, made a tour on Wednesday of the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the National Archives and Mount Vernon, the home of first U.S. President George Washington located in Virginia.

"I tell you what was nice was going back to Mount Vernon yesterday," Charles told Obama.

"That's wonderful," replied Obama.

"Because you know, I was there 45 years ago -- in 1970 -- so it was fantastic," the prince explained. "It is very special there."

The White House tour was Charles's second since May 2011, and he and Camilla are leaving for the U.S. state of Kentucky on Friday. Endite