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The Duchess takes part in a sponsored dog walk in aid of a Nepalese dog charity

8th November 2008

The Duchess of Cornwall took part in a sponsored dog walk around Green Park today in aid of a Nepalese dog charity.

The Duchess took to the lead as she joined a host of happy hounds and their enthusiastic owners today on the walk in aid of the charity The Kathmandu Arts Centre and Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre.

As the day coincided with Nepal's Day of the Dog, the pets were dressed for the occasion in colourful flower garlands.

The star of the show was Manila who was given the honour of escorting The Duchess on the parade around the park.

The former stray dog had once lived under the water tank at the home of Leslie Cox, a British woman living in Manila with her husband.

"When we first found her she was totally wild. But I trained her myself with the help of bits of cheese and shortbread." Mrs Cox said.

The couple named her after the city in which she was found and brought her to the UK when they returned five years ago.

Manila's usual walker looked on with pride. "I thought she did rather well. I was quite proud of her," said Mrs Cox.

The Kathmandu Arts Centre, is a British charity, which aims to raise funds to establish a cultural centre in the capital of Nepal, as well as cultivate emerging Nepalese artists.

Prior to the dog walk, The Duchess viewed part of the Open Door Exhibition at the Royal Over-Seas League, which includes 108 artworks from British and Nepalese artists.