Still less as our future queen.

But the smiles on the faces of Leeds people told another story yesterday.

And so did the cheers in their voices.

Charles and Camilla were making their first visit to the city together. They saw at first hand the stunning refurbishment of the Grand Theatre, the home of Opera North.

Later the prince went to see the excellent work performed in the town by the charity Breast Cancer Haven.

They were smiling and relaxed and looked every inch the happy royal couple we could all look up to as King and Consort.

And they enjoyed the warmest of Yorkshire welcomes.

Needs must

A few eyebrows could be raised at Leeds City Council's plan to bail out the huge East and South East Leeds regeneration programme by buying 20 houses for more than £2m.

After all, the days are gone when local authorities were in the business of being landlords.

And some may say that developer Bellway should be left to sort out its own problems if it is struggling to sell the homes it has built.

But that would be to overlook the tough realities of current economic life. And the heavy responsibility that rests upon the council – now more than ever – to make sure that schemes like these deliver on their promises.

National governments on both sides of the Atlantic have set the template by using public money to underwrite key projects and point the way out of recession.

Our local politicians are simply doing the same.

Simple life

It is worrying to hear that Leeds people are spending less time on shared family activities – all because of the credit crunch.

The theory is that shortage of cash means fewer outings to restaurants, cinemas and theme parks.

The activities which in the guilty 80s we came to call "quality time".

Perhaps in that case it is time to redefine quality and to rediscover the simple pleasures of a shared home-cooked meal, the fun of a board game and a healthy walk in the fresh air.

And perhaps we will find that what they say about the best things in life is true.