Prince Charles talked to six-year-old Nathaniel Chambers

Troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade are believed to be in action in southern Iraq.

Prince Charles, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Paras and the Army Air Corps, arrived by helicopter at about 1240 GMT after a visit to soldiers' families in Dover.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to visit RAF Honington in Suffolk on Monday.

High morale

Prince Charles was greeted by garrison commander Colonel Tony Barton and met about 40 families during his two-hour visit.

Louise Burridge-Smith, wife of the officer commanding 16 Air Assault Brigade HQ, Major Paul Smith, said the prince had asked how families were coping.

"I told him it was very tense when the men first went out and it was upsetting to read reports that they didn't have the right kit and even enough to eat," she said.

"But everything seems OK now and morale is high both at home and in the Gulf."

Amanda McCaldin, whose husband Calum is a signals instructor, said Prince Charles had asked about her accommodation.

"I told him my accommodation was quite good but said we could arrange for him to live in the flat for a week if he liked and he just laughed.

"He asked me if I had a garden and whether I grew vegetables."

The prince's visit was one of a series by senior members of the royal family aimed at raising morale.