RIYADH (AFP) - Britain's Prince Charles, dressed in a traditional Saudi robe and a checkered red and white keffiyeh, joined members of Saudi Arabia's royal family in performing the "Ardah" sword dance near Riyadh.

Prince Charles, who arrived on Monday on his second visit to the kingdom in a year, swayed his sword to the rhythm of drumbeats at the annual cultural and heritage Al-Janadriya festival, late on Tuesday near Riyadh.

He was accompanied in the dance by several princes, including deputy prime minister Moqren bin Abdul Aziz and National Guard chief Prince Mitaab, who is King Abdullah's son.

The Prince of Wales, in a regional tour without his wife Camilla, visited Al-Dir'iyah on Wednesday. It is the first capital of the Saudi dynasty where the remains of many palaces and restored buildings are located.

The heir to the British throne met with several Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. He was to head to Qatar later on Wednesday.