THE Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland - Charles - is used to grand titles.

But today in Tanzania he was given a more humble name by the Maasai tribe - The Helper of the Cows.

On a dusty plain overlooked by Mount Kilimanjaro, which this morning was veiled in clouds, Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall were given a traditional welcome by the nomadic herders.

Around 500 men, women and children came from surrounding villages dressed in their colourful tribal robes to greet their royal guests with dancing, gifts and even sacrifice.

Three bulls were slaughtered before the couple arrived at the Maasai homestead, called a boma, near Arusha in the north of the country.

The meat will be used to feed the tribesmen and women, some of whom walked over four miles to the village of Majengo to welcome the couple.

Camilla, who was given the title Mother of the Children, seemed overwhelmed at times by the deafening chanting and jumping by the Maasai warriors, which caused dust to swirl around the royals.

The dance by the women was less frenzied, but they too jumped up and down and ululated.

Charles's new name in the tribe's language is Oloishiru Ingishi, which literally translates as "the one who makes cows cry".

According to Matthew Rimba, a village elder and "father" of the Boma, the animals would cry, or call, for their helper because of the support he gives them.

Camilla's name is Koto Engera in Maasai tongue.

The tribe believe they own every cow in the world, and Charles keeps over 800 cows on his land in the UK.

Asked if that caused a problem for their new relationship, Mr Rimba, who has 45 children and three wives, said: "As he's a friend of ours we can't steal his cows back, but we will steal from others."

The Prince was presented a gift of an olorika stool, which is a sign of welcome, while the Duchess was given an ornate beaded necklace called an esos.