For some Penn students, the crowning moment of Prince Charles's visit to Philadelphia this weekend was a on e-hour visit to the International House just a block from campus.

Taking an opportunity to interact with local students during their tour of Philadelphia, Charles and his wife - Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall - stopped by the International House Saturday afternoon to attend a student roundtable discussion focused on urban regeneration.

During the discussion students expressed their views on the implementation of urban-development policies, giving particular emphasis to the need for a "from the ground-up" mentality, while the Prince sat quietly, listening to their diverse opinions.

While Charles traded thoughts with students, Camilla took tea upstairs with other students in their living quarters.

Lilia Guzairova, a Temple University senior who had tea with the Duchess, described the experience as informal, "like a mom's visit."

The royal couple reunited afterwards to mingle with a crowd of about 120 people, composed of Marshall Scholarship alumni, international students and patrons of the International House. The royal couple made their ways through the crowd separately, shaking hands and engaging in friendly conversation with as many people as time permitted.

Many of guests were pleasantly surprised by the kindness and humility of the royals.

"I didn't expect them to spend a few minutes with each of us," said Wharton and Engineering junior Thunyurat Amornpetchkul.

First-year Engineering grad uate student Vishnu Sivakumar, who said International House staff had instructed students on how to address the royals, observed that Charles "was really chilled out. He seemed really interested in what we do here, the reasons we're here [and] what degrees we're pursuing."

"He's royalty, but he was able to interact with people on a personal level," Penn professor Victor Mair said of Charles.