TWO MATCHING BLACKBERRY HANDSETS, A CHOCOLATE FONDUE KIT AND A LEG OF PROSCIUTTO WERE JUST SOME OF THE GIFTS GIVEN TO THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL ON THEIR OVERSEAS TOURS LAST YEAR, IT WAS REVEALED RECENTLY. CHARLES AND CAMILLA ALSO RECEIVED PAPAL ROSARIES FROM POPE BENEDICT XVI AFTER PAYING THEIR RESPECTS AT THE VATICAN. CLARENCE HOUSE PUBLISHED THE LIST OF PRESENTS RECEIVED BY THE HEIR TO THE THRONE AND HIS WIFE ON THEIR 2009 FOREIGN TRAVELS ON ITS WEBSITE. THE COUPLE VISITED CHILE, BRAZIL AND ECUADOR IN MARCH, ITALY AND GERMANY IN APRIL AND CANADA IN NOVEMBER. THEY RECEIVED THEIR MATCHING BLACKBERRY STORM 9500s, ALL IN ONE 3G SMARTPHONES, FROM THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO DALTON MCGUINTY. RESEARCH IN MOTION (RIM), THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BLACKBERRY, WAS FOUNDED IN THE EAST-CENTRAL CANADIAN PROVINCE. BUT CLARENCE HOUSE DECLINED TO SAY WHETHER THE PRINCE AND THE DUCHESS USED THEIR NEW PHONES. 'WE CAN'T REALLY SAY WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE GIFTS', A CLARENCE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON SAID. CLARENCE HOUSE DID CONFIRM THAT THE LEG OF DRY CURED HAM, WHICH THE PRINCE WAS GIVEN IN ITALY, WAS TAKEN TO THE KITCHENS OF CHARLES'S COUNTRYSIDE HOME IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE. OFFICIAL GIFTS CAN BE WORN AND USED, BUT ARE NOT CONSIDERED THE ROYALS' PERSONAL PROPERTY. THEY CANNOT BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED AND EVENTUALLY BECOME PART OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION, WHICH IS HELD IN TRUST BY THE QUEEN FOR HER SUCCESSORS AND THE NATION. THE ANNUAL LIST DOES NOT CONTAIN ESTIMATED PRICES FOR THE GIFTS. PERISHABLE GIFTS CAN BE USED OR EATEN BY THE ROYALS OR GIVEN TO CHARITY, STAFF OR OTHERS. BUT IF THE PERISHABLE GIFT IS WORTH MORE THAN £150 AND NOT USED BY THE ROYALS IT MUST BE GIVEN TO CHARITY.
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